Edu Risk Solutions Blog

Website Accessibility: How Recent Liability Trends May Affect Your Institution

An increasing number of website accessibility lawsuits are targeting colleges. Institutions can use this summary of recent liability trends and UE recommendations to better understand the current legal climate and to improve the accessibility of their websites.
Continue Reading >>

K-12 School Districts and the Department of Education’s Proposed Title IX Regulations

This overview of proposed Title IX regulations released by the Department of Education along with recommended steps to take toward compliance between now and final implementation is designed for public K-12 institutions.
Continue Reading >>

Best Practices: Title IX Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities Regarding Campus Sexual Harassment

This checklist includes United Educators' recommended best practices pertaining to the role of Title IX Coordinator, which is required for all higher education institutions and K-12 schools that accept federal funds.
Continue Reading >>

“Operation Varsity Blues” Reinforces Need for High Schools to Review Counseling Practices

This piece provides guidance on how schools should audit their college counseling practices to help prevent admissions fraud.
Continue Reading >>

Checklist for Camps on Campus

This checklist provides camp directors step-by-step guidance to help minimize risks and increase the likelihood of a safe experience for campers.
Continue Reading >>

Golf Carts on Campus

Educational institutions use golf carts to transport students and visitors, patrol the campus grounds, and perform campus maintenance activities. A United Educators (UE) claims review found that between 2012 to 2016 golf cart accidents on campuses resulted in over $1.6 million in losses. Implementing a few key practices can help educational institutions avoid or reduce such costly claims.

Continue Reading >>

How Institutions Can Respond to “Operation Varsity Blues”

In the wake of the "Operation Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal, this piece recommends actions institutions should take to prevent admissions fraud.
Continue Reading >>

Action Guide for Improving Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Efforts: K-12

This guide is intended to help United Educators (UE) members strengthen their efforts to prevent and respond to sexual abuse.
Continue Reading >>

Action Guide for Improving Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Efforts: Higher Education

This guide is intended to help higher ed United Educators (UE) members strengthen their efforts to prevent and respond to sexual abuse.
Continue Reading >>

Research on Human Subjects: Is Your Institution Complying With Federal Rules?

Federal law mandates that Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) pre-approve research on humans. Because of their complex research programs, most large research universities have well-developed IRB protocols, but many smaller institutions do not. IRBs review research proposals to ensure they meet safety standards, do not present conflicts of interest, and properly obtain consent from research subjects. Federal agencies have suspended government-funded human subject research at institutions that failed to follow IRB protocols.
Continue Reading >>

UE Higher Education Members Identify Top Risks: Risk Management Premium Credit Survey Results 2016-2018

Our Risk Management Premium Credit (RMPC) program allows eligible higher education members to receive a credit toward their premium by completing a survey about their most pressing risk management concerns. This comparison of top risks has been created from responses to the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 premium year surveys.
Continue Reading >>

Addressing Sexual Violence in MOUs Between Campuses and Law Enforcement

Building strong partnerships between administrators and local law enforcement agencies should be a key component of every institution’s plan to reduce the risk of sexual violence. In this piece, UE provides recommendations for addressing sexual violence in a general campus safety memorandum of understanding.
Continue Reading >>

VAWA-Campus SaVE Act Federal Training Requirements for Students

Most higher education institutions are subject to VAWA—also known as the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act—which requires institutions to train students on sexual violence issues. This resource explains the training mandates and provides UE’s recommendations and suggestions to help institutions meet them.

VAWA-Campus SaVE Act Training Requirements for Employees

Most higher education institutions are subject to VAWA—also known as the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act—which requires institutions to train employees on sexual violence issues. This resource explains the training mandates and provides UE’s recommendations and suggestions to help institutions meet them.
Continue Reading >>

Safe Use of Drones on College and School Campuses

Schools and colleges regularly use drones for education, campus security, and promotional videography, but the increased presence of drones on campus adds to the potential for liability. Learn how to register drones and create comprehensive campus drones policies.
Continue Reading >>

Identifying Campus Security Authorities

Allegations of inaccurate Clery Act statistics have been a frequent source of bad publicity for colleges and universities. A common cause of inaccurate Clery data is confusion over who qualifies as a CSA.

Continue Reading >>

Workplace Harassment in Higher Ed: Tips: Training Faculty on Workplace Sexual Harassment

Many institutions find it difficult to educate faculty about workplace sexual harassment, but UE’s claims experience shows this training is critical. Discover recommended actions that can help schools reach faculty and some administrators.

Workplace Harassment in Higher Ed: Scenarios: Workplace Sexual Harassment and Assault Claims

Left unchecked, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the higher education workplace violate federal and state law, damage employee morale and productivity, and can seriously injure an institution’s reputation. Review common issues that arose in the 102 claims UE studied.

Workplace Harassment in Higher Ed: PowerPoint

These slides, which include key data and lessons learned from the 102 claims analyzed, are designed to support an instructor-led workshop or presentation.

Workplace Harassment in Higher Ed: Key Findings: Losses and Lessons From Workplace Sexual Harassment and Assault Claims

Of the 102 claims UE analyzed, 87 percent alleged sexual harassment, and 49 percent included retaliation claims. Nearly a quarter (21 percent) involved serial perpetrators, and 13 percent alleged sexual assault. View other highlights from these claims and see UE’s recommendations for mitigating similar risks.

Workplace Harassment in Higher Ed: Checklists: Workplace Anti-Discrimination Policies and Response

UE’s claims analysis demonstrates the costs of campus workplace sexual misconduct. Use these checklists to assess your institution’s antidiscrimination policies and response to complaints.

Workplace Harassment in Higher Ed: A Review of Sexual Harassment and Assault Claims

United Educators (UE) analyzed 102 claims related to higher education workplace sexual harassment and assault received from 2013 through 2017. This publication discusses the UE claims data and our resulting recommendations. Understanding the data and adopting the recommendations can help improve the handling of workplace sexual misconduct at your institution.
Continue Reading >>

Provide Suicide Prevention Training at K-12 Schools

Recent legislation passed in 11 states requires suicide prevention training for faculty, staff, and students (in some states) for elementary and secondary students. United Educators recommends schools consider implementing such training, regardless of whether your state requires it. Use the suggestions in this Insights blog to shape or assess your training program.
Continue Reading >>

Department of Education Releases Proposed Regulations Regarding Campus Sexual Misconduct

This Insights blog provides institutions with an overview of the draft proposed Title IX regulations released by the U.S. Department of Education, along with recommended steps institutions can take toward compliance between now and final implementation.
Continue Reading >>

Data Breach Prevention and Response: A Guide for Business Officers

This guide to data breaches for risk managers and business officers identifies common computer network vulnerabilities at educational institutions. It provides checklists for planning security and response, detection of breaches, exposure assessments, and system restoration and recovery.
Continue Reading >>

Title IX and Beyond: Revising Nondiscrimination Policies and Grievance Procedures

This resource, part of the Title IX and Beyond series, covers the topics that educational institutions should address when reviewing and revising their nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures on student sexual violence and harassment.
Continue Reading >>

Title IX and Beyond: Investigations

This checklist, part of the Title IX and Beyond series, covers the topics that educational institutions should address when conducting student sexual violence and harassment investigations.
Continue Reading >>

Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Clinical Programs

Managing students with documented disabilities in clinical programs can present unanticipated difficulties. If a student is “otherwise qualified”—i.e., meets the academic requirements—to participate in the degree program, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require institutions to provide reasonable accommodations for his or her disability.
Continue Reading >>

Invisible Disabilities at the 25th Anniversary of the ADA

July marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities at public and private educational institutions. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that more than 90 percent of disabilities are invisible—in other words, not observable or apparent. Examples include learning disabilities and attention deficits, autism spectrum disorders, mental or psychiatric impairments, and chronic diseases.
Continue Reading >>

Webinar: Confronting Campus Sexual Assault: An Examination of Higher Education Claims

This webinar reviews the findings from UE’s study of student sexual assault claims and explores how colleges and universities can respond to and prevent sexual violence.

Continue Reading >>

Resources for Confronting Campus Sexual Assault

The Campus SaVE Act: A Compliance Guide

This guide is designed to help your institution navigate the extensive new requirements of the Campus SaVE Act, which takes effect in March 2014.
Continue Reading >>

Title IX and Beyond: FAQs on Federal Laws and Guidance

These FAQs summarize major provisions of the Campus SaVE Act and federal guidance from 2014 and 2011 on Title IX, provide general compliance recommendations, and alert members to future developments that may increase the compliance burden.
Continue Reading >>

Confronting Campus Sexual Assault

This report discusses the key findings of UE’s sex assault claims study and looks at perpetrator and victim characteristics, circumstances of the assault, response from the institution, and resulting litigation.
Continue Reading >>

Title IX and Beyond: Interim Measures, Remedies, and Sanctions

This checklist, part of the Title IX and Beyond series, identifies steps institutions should take once a report of sexual violence is received to protect both the victim and the broader student body.
Continue Reading >>

Webinar: Reducing Risk in Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Situations

This webinar explores integrating campus threat assessment with Campus SaVe functions to address issues that are unique to domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
Continue Reading >>

Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act Learning Program

A new federal law affects students and anyone who works for a college or university. This learning program examines the new law: what it is, why it's needed, how it affects you, and ways to get help for yourself or others.

Continue Reading >>

Webinar: Preventing Student Sexual Violence - Transforming Campus Culture

This webinar features one university's approach to transforming campus culture to prevent student sexual violence.
Continue Reading >>

Preventable Claims: Understanding the Family and Medical Leave Act

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave per year to address medical issues or care for loved ones, but the complicated law can raise costly liability concerns for educational institutions.

Continue Reading >>

Managing the Risks of Athlete Concussions in Independent Schools

Concussions are a significant safety concern in youth sports. Schools must take steps to protect student athletes from these dangerous head injuries and to respond appropriately when an injury occurs. From educating staff about concussions to documenting treatment, learn to safeguard your students and your school.
Continue Reading >>

Managing the Risks of Athlete Concussions in Public Schools

Concussions are a significant safety concern in youth sports. Schools must take steps to protect student athletes from these dangerous head injuries and to respond appropriately when an injury occurs. From educating staff about concussions to documenting treatment, learn to safeguard your students and your school.
Continue Reading >>

Title IX Coordinators Learning to Cope With 'Dear Colleague' Letter

Title IX coordinators at three United Educators member campuses discuss challenges and offer suggestions for complying with the Department of Education’s 3-year-old “Dear Colleague” letter.

Continue Reading >>

Borrow Title IX Policies With Care

One size does not fit all when it comes to Title IX policies. If you borrow ideas from another institution, make sure they’re appropriate for your campus.

New Federal Requirements for Missing Student Notification: Get Ready

Are your institution’s missing student plans up to snuff? New regulations on notification requirements from the U.S. Department of Education take effect July 1. They implement the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) and mandate that all colleges and universities participating in the Title IV federal student financial aid program and providing on-campus student housing must do the following:

Blogs

avatar

Share This: