In a broadcast e-mail to faculty, staff and students on April 3, university President William R. Brody urged the Johns Hopkins community to consider seriously any plans they might have for international travel.

"Given both the current level of international tension and the emerging situation involving severe acute respiratory syndrome, we also recommend that such travel be taken only if absolutely necessary," he said.

For useful information, Brody directed the community to Web sites for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, at: travel.state.gov and for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at: www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media /pressrel/r030329.htm and www .cdc.gov/ncidod/sars.

He also reminded international students, faculty and staff that it is imperative for them to contact their campus or divisional international students and scholars offices before undertaking any international flight. Homewood, JHMI, SAIS, Peabody and SBSBE all have offices serving the international community.

In conclusion, Brody said that anyone who decides to travel should leave a detailed itinerary and contact information with the appropriate departmental office, adviser or other relevant colleague.