Santa Clara University Urges Caution for Spring Break Trips

Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)

With spring break approaching, university officials across the nation are urging students to revisit their travel plans, especially those heading to Mexico.

Santa Clara University Dean of Students Matthew Duncan sent out a campus-wide email on March 4, alerting the University student body to a series of travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on February 23. 

“Your safety is our top priority,” Duncan wrote. The University strongly encourages students to review the travel advisories in the email before finalizing any plans, and to follow guidance from local authorities while in a foreign country. 

Among these recommendations was to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free of charge service that sends email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad in the event of an emergency. Non-U.S. citizens should register with their home country’s equivalent program.

The email also identified a precautionary step that is often overlooked: travel insurance.

Most standard health insurance plans don’t extend their coverage outside of the U.S., meaning in case of an accident or illness, travelers may have to pay significant out-of-pocket expenses. Duncan encouraged students to look into coverage before they depart for travel. 

Duncan emphasized that students should pursue all means necessary to either get a refund or see if they can obtain a voucher towards a future trip. He advised students to put their own well-being as their top priority. 

The University’s advice is straightforward: students should stay aware of their surroundings, monitor local media for any emergency updates, follow the directions of local authorities, and keep family and friends informed as to where they are through phone, text and social media.

“We’re hopeful that all students will have an enjoyable and, even more importantly, safe spring break,” said Duncan. 

For more information, the U.S. Department of State maintains both a detailed travel advisory for Mexico and a separate advisory specifically for spring break travel to Mexico.