Texas Tech University

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Export Control

By Joshua Blount, Editor

Texas Tech University is a global institution that offers educational opportunities to students from various nationalities and backgrounds both domestically and internationally; this is common knowledge for most Red Raiders. What may be surprising to know, however, is that there are a multitude of controls in place that determine what information can be obtained outside the U.S. and where that information can or cannot be accessed. In other words, as a result of these laws, TTU can offer educational opportunities to students almost anywhere around the world.

Export control laws are federal regulations that manage the export of tangible and intangible items, information, products, and technology. For reasons of national security, foreign policy, anti-terrorism and non-proliferation, the U.S. prevents cooperation with certain countries. It is especially important for government entities, such as Texas Tech, to abide by the laws strictly. As a result, Texas Tech's Office of Responsible Research helps to keep the university in proper standing with export control laws. Although compliance with these laws are largely run by the university, instructors still have an important role when it comes to online teaching in particular.

Due to the educational exemption, most information taught online is safe and does not require a license. However, there are still certain circumstances where instructors should be wary. These circumstances include:

  • Straying too far from general course topics into export-controlled areas.
  • Providing distance education to a student in an embargoed country.
  • Incorporating export controlled materials into a course.

Jennifer Horn, managing director of Export and Security Compliance, spoke about how faculty can help keep the university in compliance. "What we would like to see from instructors more than anything is notification if they become aware that a student is located anywhere outside of the U.S. If you're teaching an upper level STEM courses, [for example] and something in your communication with the student indicates that they are not in the U.S, then you should check in with us."

In most scenarios, the university will be aware if a student is located outside of the U.S., but notification from instructors ensures that the university does not violate export control laws. Instructors can find additional export control information, as well as recommended training, on the university's export control homepage.