International Travel - On Call International program
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) includes a travel tracking platform as part of our On Call International program. This technology provides vital information about events that may impact your travel, health, or safety, and puts us in the best position to support you if you experience a problem or crisis while away from home.
The travel-tracking platform partner On Call International uses is changing as of April 14, 2026, from OnSolve to the Crisis24 Horizon platform. If you currently have the OnSolve mobile application installed on your mobile device, you can uninstall it on the change date. Information about the new Horizon mobile app is included below.
Please expect the following upon trip registration:
- Pre-Travel Notification: You will receive an email with information that may be helpful in preparation for your trip, along with standing health and safety advice. This email will be delivered again 7 days prior to your departure with the most recent information in case you book well before your departure date.
*Note that if your trip is in progress upon the changeover date, you will receive a PTN from the new platform even though it will not be “pre-travel”.
- Email Alerts: You will be registered to receive alerts via email if any are issued for your destination shortly before your trip, or while you are traveling.
All automated email correspondence will be delivered from ocialerts@alerts.oncallinternational.com.
There is a mobile application that works with the Horizon platform, and while not mandatory, you are encouraged to use it when traveling on UTMB business trips to enhance location tracking and provide an additional channel for contact. The Horizon app has the On Call International Global Response Center number programmed into an Assistance button, along with other features to support your safe travel. Please see the Mobile App Pre-Departure Intro for more information on accessing the app.
Mobile App Registration Options:
- If your travel is likely to be registered using your university email address, use that address upon login to Create an Account. This is enabled with Single Sign On using your university credentials.
- If you have a preferred personal email address that you used to register a trip or book travel, you can register with that email and use [Member ID: ].
Note that the platform allows UTMB and On Call International to request check-ins via text, email, and the mobile app in the event of a significant event that could affect your health or safety. If you receive a text, email, or mobile app notification requesting that you check in and indicate whether you are safe or require assistance, it is important to respond as soon as possible so we can prioritize where help is needed and coordinate a quick, efficient response.
Lodging Guidelines
UTMB can only reimburse for stays at lodging establishments which have been certified by the US General Services Administration (GSA) as Fire Safe Hotels. Below is a link to the GSA for approved hotels and motels: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/hotel/
- Any lodging arrangements made outside of these guidelines will not be reimbursed.
Fire Safe Hotels
In setting federal lodging per diem rates, GSA is required by law to use only properties that are certified as being fire safe. The following explains this requirement in greater detail.
The policy of the federal government, as reflected in the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 (Pub. L. No. 101-391, September 25, 1990 as amended by Pub. L. No. 105-85, November 18, 1997), referred to as "the Act" in this paragraph, is to save lives and protect property by promoting fire safety in hotels, motels, and all places of public accommodation affecting commerce. Federal employees are required by the Act to stay in a fire-safe facility (i.e., an approved accommodation) when commercial lodging is required. Additionally, employees are encouraged to report properties that don’t meet the requirements of the Act (hard-wired smoke alarms in each guest room and an automatic sprinkler system in each guest room if the property is more than three stories in height). A list of lodging properties that meet government requirements and a form to report non-compliant properties is on the U.S. Fire Administration's website.
Texas Executive Order GA-48
Executive Order GA-48 is a statewide directive requiring all state agencies and Texas higher education institutions to strengthen institutional safeguards. It is intended to protect critical infrastructure, sensitive information, and intellectual property from the influence of designated foreign adversaries.
Key areas impacted include:
- Purchasing goods and services from certain foreign entities
- International travel (both professional and personal)
- Gifts and travel reimbursements
- Participation in foreign talent programs
- Qualifications and screening for critical infrastructure roles
Please visit the UTMB Office of Institutional Compliance website for details.