UW-Madison gets license for educational travel to Cuba

The university has been granted a license for educational institutions authorizing travel to Cuba.

“We’re pleased that the Department of the Treasury has granted us this license. It will promote access for Wisconsin students and faculty to learn about Cuba first hand,” says Michael Hinden, associate dean of Office of International Studies and Programs. “Now that the university has its own license, we can explore increasing links with educational institutions in Cuba that might benefit from existing ties.”

The license is granted by the U.S. Treasury Department. U.S. citizens and residents must be licensed by Treasury to travel to Cuba. Although an expansion of people-to-people contacts and direct passenger flights between the U.S. and Cuba were allowed in January 1999, travel remains restricted. Select categories of travelers may obtain licenses, according to the U.S. State Department.

UW–Madison pursued the federal authorization for educational travel to Cuba.
Next semester, the Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Program of the International Institute, and the Departments of Afro-American Studies and Music will host Roberto Vizcaino Guillot, a Cuban percussionist. He is adjunct professor at two of Cuba’s leading institutions for higher music education, the Instituto Superior de Arte and the Amadeo Roldan School of Music, both based in Havana.

Hinden says the license stipulates specific categories of travelers who may be eligible for travel. These do not include primarily tourist-oriented or self-directed educational activities that are intended only for personal enrichment.

The following categories of visitors may be eligible:

— Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a structured educational program sponsored by the UW–Madison and faculty who may accompany them.

— Persons doing non-commercial Cuba-related academic research in Cuba for the purpose of qualifying academically as a professional (such as research toward a graduate degree).

— Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a formal course of study at a Cuban academic institution, provided the Cuban study will be accepted for credit toward a degree at the UW–Madison. ·

— Persons regularly employed in a teaching capacity at the UW–Madison who plan to teach part or all of an academic program at a Cuban academic institution.

— Cuban scholars teaching or engaging in other scholarly activities sponsored by UW–Madison. Under the terms of this license, a stipend or salary may be paid to such scholars.

— Full-time employees of UW–Madison organizing or preparing for the educational activities, such as faculty or staff traveling to Cuba to explore potential cooperative agreements.

Individual letters of authorization will be furnished to each approved traveler. For applications or further information, contact Michael Hinden, (608) 262-5805, mchinden@facstaff.wisc.edu

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