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.
