You’ve received the honor, now what do you do with it?

Campus risk managers take different forms on every campus. Some institutions have specific departments that cover the spectrum (threat assessment, event safety, bystander intervention, classroom management, hazing recognition, etc.); others outsource to local attorneys or companies. A few use a combination and select one or two individuals to manage an aspect of the protocols.

Having served in the role in regards to campus activities, here are a few recommendations to help you cover your… uh, assets. (Please adapt them to fit your campus culture and needs.) Please note, I am not an attorney. Using the advice below as legal advice to save you in a situation is not recommended.

1.)    Meet with those in the know – ask your institution to clearly delineate your responsibilities in regards to risk management. (ie. Responsible for walk-thru’s of venues prior to events occurring.)

2.)    Obtain professional insurance. (ACPA recommends Professional Liability Insurance.)

3.)    Attend a work-shop on risk management in student affairs, as it pertains to your job duties. ( NCHERM, NACA, or APCA are great resources.)

4.)    Ask questions (especially if a situation is unclear).

5.)    Be aware of all necessary paperwork (ie. Event participation waivers when traveling off-campus, incident reports, meeting history notes).

6.)    Know that anyone can sue for anything. (It costs less than $50 to file in several states.) If you’ve done your homework and have written documentation, it may be a rough ride during the process but you’ll usually come out on top.

Risk management. Words, much like lawsuit, that can make any professional cringe. Of course, everyone looks at the protocols differently depending on personal experiences. In the end, risk management for me comes down to two choices: the art of illusion or the act of preparation.

When I look at being a campus risk manager for events, I strive to find a bit of excitement in the position as this role is usually one that is loved, hated, but hardly ignored. Enter – Harry Houdini. 

Yes, Houdini was a magician, an escape artist, an entertainer; but he was also a risk manager. The “Challenge of the Mirror” (as noted in The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero) is an example of Houdini in dual roles of risk manager and entertainer. He was challenged by The Daily Illustrated Mirror to escape from handcuffs made by a local blacksmith with a lock that “no mortal man can pick”. The actual escape from the cuffs took over an hour by all accounts and included requests to have his jacket removed (only to have to personally cut it off with his mouth using a pocketed penknife), for a drink of water, and for more comfortable arrangements (he was inside a cabinet). The audience was entertained.

Houdini had already proven to be a master with card tricks and in reacting to situations thrust upon him. Roll in Houdini – Risk Manager. Substantiation exists that the “Challenge of the Mirror” was one performance Houdini minutely planned. He commissioned the handcuffs using his own sketches, worked with the newspaper to issue the challenge, and encouraged local politicians to be in attendance. In effect, he knew the circumstances, the props, and the audience. He sealed his reputation as The Handcuff King.

In the role of campus risk manager, you take steps like Houdini’s – performing your own act of preparation. For an event: you evaluate the venue, the performer’s needs, available staff – ensuring you know your risks. The approved marketing scheme is intentional and appealing to your campus population, ensuring a high attendance and participation. Your institution’s reputation, or that of the sponsoring organization, is revered because the event is successful.

In my experience, institutions that rely on the art of illusion are often those that have dialogues about risk management in stealthily held meetings. The conclusion of the meeting may or may not be disseminated to staff members that have to respond in the situation. Campuses that are growing rapidly also use the art of illusion. For example, if your risk management plan still lists having a “crier” run building to building alerting individuals to an emergency – you fall into this category (Yes, this is in an emergency handbook at one not-to-be-named institution). Conversely, institutions (or departments) that rely on the act of preparation often have a task force to write policies, share information, and ensure all staff know the plan. If you have attended a meeting about quarantining students and entertaining them during an avian flu outbreak, you may fall into this category.

The next time that you receive the honor (or draw the short –straw) of campus risk manager, just remember Houdini –make a comprehensive plan and expect success.