Policy prevents trip from receiving funds

By John Anderson and Matt Turner
Staff Reporters

The African Heritage Organization’s service trip to Kenya is over before the plane ever left the ground.

A TCU policy prohibits faculty, staff and students from using university funds to travel to countries with State Department-issued travel warnings, said Jay Zeidman, president of the Student Government Association.

The U.S. Department of State issued a warning in September encouraging Americans to avoid all non-essential travel to Kenya because of terrorist threats in the region.

Jonathan Ogujiofor, the adviser for AHO, said he was not aware of the warning until it was too late.

“I would rather the policy be reconsidered or re-planned,” Ogujiofor said. He said he will meet with Don Mills, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, today to discuss the trip.

AHO’s trip to Israel last year was canceled for the same reason, Ogujiofor said.

The House of Student Representatives gave AHO $14,208 last week to help pay for the trip. Those funds will be returned to SGA, said Treasurer David Watson.

Zeidman called the news “unfortunate” and said SGA wishes AHO the best in accomplishing its goal.

The students were planning to help build a school in Kenya and roof an orphanage, Ogujiofor said.

“These are things that can be done later if we don’t get to Kenya now,” Ogujiofor said.