Sacramento State’s Vice President for Student Affairs sent a campus-wide e-mail today warning students not to travel to Mexico over spring break because of escalating drug violence.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory Feb. 20 warning U.S. citizens of the conflict. More than 1,800 people have been killed in the border city of Ciudad Juarez since January 2008, the advisory said. In 2008 the city had more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings.

“Although thousands of people travel to Mexico every day for study, tourism or business, Sacramento State recommends that students do not travel to Mexico during spring break,” said Lori Varlotta, vice president for student affairs, in the email. “If you must travel to Mexico at any other time in the near future, we strongly encourage you to be alert to safety and security concerns, especially when visiting the border region.”

The State Department’s advisory did not specifically ask college students not to travel to Mexico, but warned of the growing violence and offered tips on staying safe.

Many U.S. universities have issued similar notices to their students after the State Department’s recent travel advisory. The University of Arizona, Penn State, Notre Dame, and the University of Colorado have all issued warnings to their students.

The State Department estimates that more than 100,000 young people travel from the U.S. to resort areas of Mexico during a typical spring break season.

Sam Pearson can be reached at [email protected].