Safety audit gives go ahead to KU fall programs in Costa Rica

LAWRENCE -- After a two-month review of safety issues, University of Kansas officials announced today that the university's fall study abroad programs in Costa Rica will proceed as scheduled.

As part of an ongoing safety review, university officials conducted two site visits in Costa Rica this summer and interviewed students, KU staff, host families and government officials, said Diana Carlin, dean of the Graduate School and International Programs.

"Our students who were in Costa Rica this summer told us they felt safe and well-informed by staff and host families about potential safety risks. The U.S. embassy in San Jose told us it has no new travel warnings for any area in Costa Rica," Carlin said.

In June, KU sent Charles Stansifer, veteran KU professor and expert on Costa Rica, to investigate safety concerns in the wake of the May murder of 23-year-old KU student Shannon Martin, who was on a brief independent research trip in Golfito. Martin had lived in Golfito with a host family the previous year as part of the KU study abroad program there in environmental studies.

In July, Susan Gronbeck-Tedesco, interim director of study abroad, and Amy Timkar, KU program coordinator, conducted site visits in San Jose and Golfito. They observed orientation programs and classes and interviewed students, faculty, program administrators and U.S. embassy officials.

Carlin said that several procedures will be emphasized and enhanced beginning with the fall program. Along with the orientation sessions they receive before departing and on site, students will now go through an additional cultural and safety briefing by the U.S. embassy upon their arrival in Costa Rica. Host families in San Jose and Golfito regularly participate in orientation sessions.

Both the university and Shannon Martin's family had expressed concern about the progress of the murder investigation.

"The university will continue to pursue, on the family's behalf, every available diplomatic and governmental channel to ensure that the case receives top priority," Carlin said.

"The university has received assurances from Costa Rican officials at the highest level that the investigation is progressing."

In collaboration with U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., the university arranged a meeting between Martin's mother, Jeanette Stauffer, and Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Costa Rican Ambassador Jaime Darenblum. At Brownback's urging, DNA evidence was sent to Washington, D.C., for FBI analysis. FBI agents are now in Costa Rica assisting the investigative team.

This fall, KU will continue a review it has begun of all study abroad programs, using international program safety guidelines developed by NAFSA, an association of international educators.

All KU study abroad students are given orientation sessions during which they receive country-specific materials before leaving the United States. This includes cultural, health and safety information, and information for students on cultural differences in foreign countries.

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