Passport Fair making getting passports easier

Anyone looking to head to Canada or Mexico will have a harder time with new Department of Homeland Security restrictions that are in place. The Study Abroad office and the USU Post Office are hoping to make that a little easier by hosting a Passport Fair today outside the USU Post Office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kay Forsyth, director of Study Abroad, said she got the idea for a passport fair when she visited some schools in the Denver area with study abroad. She said she thought it would be a good idea to get USU students more involved with “international experiences” and hopes it will help students who are looking to study or just travel abroad.

“I hope that it will increase interest in international and globalization issues,” Forsyth said.

Manager of Central Distribution and the Postal Center Richard Boudrero said they are offering the Passport Fair as a convenience to students.

To get a passport, a booth will be set up outside the post office today. People wishing to get a passport need to bring proof of U.S. citizenship like a birth certificate or previous passport, a valid state or government photo ID, a passport application and checks or money orders for the passport fees.

Passport applications will be available at the fair, but they are also online at www.travel.state.gov/passport or at post offices.

Homeland Security has changed regulations so people that are traveling outside the United States need a passport,” Boudrero said. “Even if they fly into Canada or Mexico or go on some cruises, they’ll need a passport. Our understanding is that sometime in 2008, if you want to even drive into Canada or Mexico you’ll need a passport.”

Because of the new restrictions and the other regulations going into place next year, Boudrero said there is a backlog of applications so people can travel this summer, but they’re still trying to process the applications in time.

Forsyth said the Passport Fair could become permanent if there is a good response from students and staff.

“We have probably 250 students going on study abroad experiences this summer. The numbers are increasing and opportunities for international experiences are growing,” Forsyth said. “[The Passport Fair] seemed to be a good way to work together. This might be an easy way to facilitate students who are considering a study abroad experience in the near future.”