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    Limiting the Influence of Alcohol in Student Claims

    Excessive student drinking is a perpetual problem on college campuses. Nearly 40 percent of college students engage in binge drinking, and more than 1,500 college students die each year from injuries related to alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). UE’s claims studies reveal that the involvement of alcohol can increase the frequency and severity of losses. These studies also provide lessons for combating alcohol abuse. Read Insights to learn more.
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    Preparing for Fall Training

    The start of the academic year is often a peak time for United Educators (UE) members to launch training initiatives for faculty, students, and staff. We recommend you start preparing for that training now, to leverage the advanced configuration capabilities available in our new learning portal.
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    Problems Arising From Tenure Denials: A Review of Recent Claims

    Tenure denials often result in claims from the unsuccessful candidate. Institutions can take steps along the way to manage the reaction to an unsuccessful outcome and help both the institution and an unsuccessful candidate cope and move on. This claims review examines the types of claims unsuccessful tenure candidates bring and lessons learned from those claims. The publication also examines how institutions can avoid these claims with clear tenure policies, training faculty on that policy, and conducting a fair and impartial review process.
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    Training Children on Sexual Violence Prevention

    Sexual assault among youth in K-12 schools is often a hidden, but chronic problem. Experts recommend that educators introduce the concepts of consent and sexual violence prevention early and add to this curriculum over time. Learn more about the recommended prevention topics for each age group in this blog.
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    New Learning Portal, New Courses

    United Educators (UE) understands that addressing offenses such as sexual violence and discrimination is a top priority for colleges and universities, and our online training offers a cost-effective way for members to address this important issue. To help your institution navigate today’s complicated regulatory environment, UE has several new courses to train your institution in our new EduRisk Learning Portal.
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    Communication: Key to Training Success

    As a training administrator, you’re well aware that effectively communicating with your learner population is essential for running a successful training initiative at your institution. Learn what information should be shared.
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    Member Success Spotlight: Villanova University

    With increasing pressure on institutions to mitigate risk through ongoing student, staff, and faculty training, Jennifer Derry, director of training and staff development at Villanova University, recently shared with United Educators (UE) reasons why Villanova utilizes EduRisk to accomplish their institution’s training goals.
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    New Title IX Resources Support K-12 Schools

    The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault released new policy and training resources for K-12 school districts, continuing its efforts to end bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual violence in schools. UE recommends that schools consider using these free comprehensive resources to fulfill their Title IX compliance obligations. Independent school administrators should also incorporate this guidance into policies and training sessions.
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    Mosaic: The Latest Training Opportunity From EduRisk

    Through our EduRisk division, United Educators develops online training programs designed to serve as critical learning opportunities for key areas of risk faced by member institutions. Have you had the opportunity to review our latest offering, Mosaic: Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together?
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    Introducing Mosaic: A New Harassment Prevention Course for Higher Education

    United Educators (UE) understands that preventing workplace harassment and discrimination is a top priority for colleges and universities, and our online training offers a cost-effective way for members to address this important issue. Learn about our newest course within the EduRisk Workplace Harassment Learning Program, Mosaic: Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together.
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    Managing Campus Protest in a Time of Culture Change

    Campus protests around racial equity recently gripped colleges, and many institutions are wondering whether nationwide demonstrations over racially charged killings by police will affect their campuses. To prepare, administrators and presidents should take actions to address concerns and reduce the potential for campus unrest. Read Insights to learn more.
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    Tips for Effective Training

    Fall is a peak time for United Educators (UE) members to kick off training initiatives. As you gear up for the start of the fall semester and a new season of training, this list of new resources and best practices can help you enhance the EduRisk training experience at your school or campus.
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    Pokémon GO: Security Concerns for Educational Institutions

    Educational institutions face security concerns as a result of the popularity of Pokémon GO and similar augmented reality games, in which a real-world environment is supplemented by computer-generated images and sound. Campuses are likely to experience distracted unaffiliated individuals (as well as students and staff) coming on their grounds while playing. Read this Insights blog to learn steps institutions can take to manage risks.
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    Bolster Title IX Compliance With a Campuswide Communications Plan

    UE recommends that every institution develop a collaborative approach to communicating Title IX policies and compliance initiatives. Adopting campuswide Title IX communications plans starting with senior leadership creates a culture of respect and promotes compliance with federal requirements for preventing and responding to sex discrimination.
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    Preventing Greek Organization Hazing

    In most states, hazing is a criminal offense. Forty-four states have anti-hazing laws. Despite these prohibitions, the practice continues. In a study of 162 United Educators Greek claims received from 2010 to 2014, 12 percent of the claims came from hazing incidents—most occurring  at a pledging or initiation event. Read this Insights blog to get ideas for preventing hazing on your campus.
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    Sexual Misconduct Adjudication: The Single Investigator Model

    Single investigator adjudication models for sexual misconduct are trending throughout higher education. It is not always clear what the single investigator model encompasses, although the term is regularly used to reference adjudication models that do not involve a hearing panel, but model details can vary across institutions. Read our Insights blog to learn the advantages of this model and see UE's recommendations.
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    Theater Production Safety

    Each year, United Educators receives a number of claims arising from theater productions. Falls from stages, injuries from props, and fires are just some of the perils. Yet, with proper planning, your institution can enhance theater production safety.
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    Improving Athletics Compliance in Higher Education

    At many institutions, athletics sits as an island mostly disconnected from the college’s compliance efforts. Administrators often struggle to integrate the institution’s athletics department into its compliance program. Yet, institutions should view athletics programs as allies that can help lead and shape the compliance culture. This Insights blog offers recommendations for improving compliance.
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    Trauma-Informed Investigations

    The April 2014 Not Alone report from the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault suggests school officials undergo trauma-informed training. A trauma-informed approach helps eliminate preconceptions or misconceptions about how a victim “should” behave.
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    Managing Risks of Operating Vehicles Abroad

    Vehicle crashes are the No. 1 one killer of Americans traveling abroad, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department. Car and bus crashes are the biggest risk to international travelers from our schools, colleges, and universities.
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    Are You Sacrificing Your Reputation to Protect Sacred Cows?

    What are the sacred cows at your institution? Every college or university has programs and people that are a great source of alumni and student pride. But while they are an important part of the campus experience, these revered traditions or people can present risks when boards turn a blind eye to any issues that their existence raises.
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    Avoiding Pitfalls When Resolving Discrimination Claims

    Educational employers routinely use settlement and severance agreements to end employment relationships or resolve employment-related disputes, sometimes using templates drafted years ago. Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has brought enforcement actions challenging common provisions in such agreements.
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    Concussion Awareness Learning Program

    Concussion Awareness Learning Program

    Responding appropriately to concussions has become a critical component of keeping athletes safe. This learning program is designed to educate coaches, staff, and students on recognizing and responding to the symptoms of concussions.
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    How Do I Get Faculty and Staff to Take the Course?

    United Educators (UE) understands the challenge of ensuring faculty and staff completion of risk management and compliance-related courses and training. Overloaded calendars and increased responsibilities for teaching and other duties often compete fortime and impede your efforts.


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    Preventing Genetic Discrimination in Employment

    A relatively new form of discrimination, genetic discrimination occurs when a person with a gene that causes or increases the risk of a disease or condition is treated differently. Many individuals fear that employers will attempt to reduce health care costs by terminating employees with genetic markers for costly disorders. Since a person's genes are unchangeable, and everyone is at risk of being a victim, the public favors remedies for victims of genetic discrimination.
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    Apologies and Expressions of Empathy

    Public statements of apology, empathy, or regret by presidents or high-ranking officials at colleges and schools appear to be increasingly common. Such institutional statements may be connected to catastrophic events, alleged crimes, or conduct pertaining to students, employees, and others that is perceived to be offensive.
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