Edu Risk Solutions Blog

Reducing Heat Illness in College and High School Sports

A review of United Educators claims arising from heat-related illnesses in athletes reveals that the primary cause of liability is poor planning for reduction of and response to this risk.
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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.
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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.
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Webinar: Proposed Title IX Regulations

This webinar discusses how the proposed regulatory changes to Title IX will affect higher education institutions. Listen in for insights on any necessary institutional policy revisions, and best practices for responding to allegations and conducting investigations.

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K-12 Public Schools Large Loss Report 2019

The K-12 Public Schools Large Loss Report 2019 summarizes major damage awards and settlements of $250,000 or more that affected public K-12 schools in 2017 and 2018. The cases include a $36.1 million jury award in a school bus incident, a $15.7 million settlement in a sex abuse lawsuit, and a $1.1 million award for an athletic injury.
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Independent K-12 Schools Large Loss Report 2019

The Independent K-12 Schools Large Loss Report 2019 summarizes major damage awards and settlements of more than $250,000 that affected independent schools from 2011 to 2018. It can help schools assess their risk management practices and insurance coverage. The cases include a $25.3 million award in a sexual molestation case, a $16.5 million settlement of more than 400 claims of sex abuse, an $8 million child abuse settlement with 88 former students, a $5.87 million award for an athletics injury, and a $4 million wrongful termination lawsuit.
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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.
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Large Loss Report 2019

The Large Loss Report 2019 summarizes major damage awards and settlements of more than $250,000 that affected schools, colleges, and universities in 2018. The most frequent and costliest cases involved sexual abuse claims, many of which had multimillion-dollar settlements in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Educational institutions can use this report to assess their risk management practices and insurance coverage.
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New EduRisk Courses Released

EduRisk offers cost-effective online learning to train students, faculty, supervisors, and other staff on your campus. As the risks faced by educational institutions evolve, we continue to develop learning programs to keep your community safe and informed. Have you had the opportunity to review our latest courses?
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Protecting Payment Card Information

This online course gives learners a high-level overview of working with payment card information, including how to keep this information safe and avoid unauthorized disclosures.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Members of the higher education community want to perform their duties ethically. This course covers one potential trouble spot: conflicts of interest.
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Prevention and Protection Podcast: Safe Sport Act: Reporting Sexual Abuse in Athletics

The Safe Sport Authorization Act, signed into law in early 2018, protects athletes from abuse with new reporting and training requirements for amateur sports organizations. In this episode of the Prevention and Protection podcast, Phil Catanzano, a senior counsel and member of the Education Team at the Holland & Knight law firm, explains the act and recommends actions for schools and colleges.
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Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence on Campus

United Educators (UE) surveyed 225 of its higher education members over a 16-month period about sexual violence prevention and response. Use the responses to the survey questions to assess your institution’s sexual violence prevention and response practices.
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Checklist for Handling Controversial Speakers on Campus

This checklist is designed to help higher education institutions take appropriate actions when a controversial speaker comes to campus.
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Preventing and Reporting Athlete Abuse: The Safe Sport Act

Recent allegations of sexual misconduct by team doctors reinforce the need for enhanced child abuse prevention and reporting standards in athletics. Read this Insights blog for steps your institution can take to comply with the Safe Sport Act.
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New Data Security Course: Physical Security and Unintended Disclosures

Conversations about data security often focus heavily on avoiding online threats. But it’s important to remember that intruders can also access data by getting into buildings, sifting through garbage, or stealing a school laptop from a locked vehicle.
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Securing Classroom Doors to Stop Active Shooters

Many K-12 schools are reviewing and improving the security of classrooms and doors to help prevent school shootings. Important steps include installing interior locks, properly securing doors with windows, consulting appropriate experts, and documenting the process followed in deciding which measures to implement.
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Responding to Controversial Events on Campus: A United Educators Symposium

This publication summarizes practices and considerations for managing contentious campus events shared by participants at a UE-hosted symposium and includes practical examples from their institutions.
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Vetting Third-Party Study Abroad Vendors

Third-party vendors can increase the study abroad opportunities available to students, but poor risk management practices by these vendors can lead to bad outcomes for students and costly claims against the home institution. Read this blog for tips on choosing a third-party vendor.
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New Course Added to Data Security Suite! Data Security: Passwords Now Available

As news media continue to report data breaches involving sensitive information, it is essential for colleges and universities to have a strategy to protect their student and staff data.
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Webinar: Educator Sexual Misconduct at Independent Schools

This webinar offers an analysis of United Educators (UE) independent school claims arising out of educator-on-student sexual misconduct and discusses trends that all administrators should address.

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New Features on Making Training with EduRisk Easier

As we evaluate the EduRisk training experience as a result of listening to feedback and observing user behavior, we continually seek opportunities to enhance system usability to produce a more positive experience for all end users.
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Educator Sexual Misconduct at Independent Schools: Insights From UE Claims

United Educators (UE) reviewed the 45 educator sexual misconduct claims reported by independent schools between 2011 and 2016 to identify trends and derive lessons. Review the claims study and its supplemental resources to learn how to create a strategy for addressing educator sexual misconduct.
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Prevention and Protection Podcast: Educator Sexual Misconduct at Independent Schools

United Educators' (UE) new claims study, Educator Sexual Misconduct at Independent Schools: Insights From UE Claims, examines trends in independent school educator sexual misconduct claims received between January 2011 and December 2016. In this episode of Prevention and Protection, UE's Alyssa Keehan, director of risk research, and Melanie Bennett, risk management counsel, discuss findings from the study.

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. When used correctly in response to significant events such as student unrest or sexual harassment and assault allegations epitomized by the #MeToo movement, apologies are powerful tools that can heal a community.
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Webinar: Rise Above Uncertainty: Advancing Risk Management at Independent Schools

How do your risk management practices compare to those of other independent schools? Find out as NAIS and United Educators (UE) report on their recent survey of independent school business officers.

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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_legacy

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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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.

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Youth Athletics Learning Program_legacy

Keep athletes safe by recognizing and responding to common hazards in sports programs including concussions and heat illness.

Guideposts for Teachers to Maintain Healthy Relationships with Students

Are teachers at your school properly prepared to maintain healthy relationships with students? In addition to institutional rules and regulations, are they alert to roles, boundaries, power, and accountability in their relationships with students? This guide provides practical guidelines for maintaining appropriate relationships with students.

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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Educator Sexual Misconduct at K-12 Schools

This page features a claims study, checklist series, learning program, and other resources related to employee-on-student sexual misconduct.

Student Sexual Violence and Abuse

A collection of UE’s higher ed and K-12 resources on Title IX, VAWA and protecting minors.

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Understanding the Clery Act

This course provides a short overview of the Clery Act, examines how it works, and details how it helps make campuses safer.

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Title IX Learning Program

This learning program features Title IX-related courses for faculty, staff, supervisors, and students at higher education institutions.
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Youth Athletics Learning Program

Keep athletes safe by recognizing and responding to common hazards in sports programs including concussions and heat illness.
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Workplace Harassment: Fundamentals for Higher Education

Train employees to prevent workplace harassment—it's both a legal mandate and the right thing to do. This learning program includes numerous resources for diverse learners.
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Teaching Science Safely

Careless handling of materials and equipment in the science laboratory can have serious, even deadly, consequences. This course helps institutions manage and reduce risks by establishing comprehensive lab safety policies.
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Short-Term International Programs

Despite their brevity, short-term international programs deserve the same vetting, preparation, and planning associated with more traditional semester-long study abroad programs. This course helps institutions prepare students and staff for safe and rewarding educational experiences around the world.
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Mosaic Learning Program for K-12 Schools

Workplace harassment and discrimination diminish the entire school community. Employees at K-12 institutions, including faculty and staff, have a vital role to play. Help your employees identify, address, and prevent these problems with the Mosaic learning program.
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Mosaic Learning Program for Higher Ed

Workplace harassment and discrimination diminish the entire campus community, as does the related problem of student sexual misconduct. College and university employees, including faculty and staff, have a vital role to play. Help your employees identify, address, and prevent these problems with the Mosaic learning program.
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Driver Safety Training

When faced with the serious responsibility of driving on institution business and transporting passengers, drivers must be ready for the unexpected. This course will help those driving on institution business to identify and mitigate driving risks, and learn specific strategies for handling potential accidents and other emergency situations.
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Crisis Response Learning Program

This learning program was developed to help your institution prepare, improve upon, and test your plan for responding to a wide range of potential internal crises that are unique to educational institutions.

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