Insights

Sudden Pandemic-Related Closures

If your K-12 school, college, or university is operating in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensure it’s prepared to quickly respond to community or campus outbreaks, or public health declarations related to the pandemic. Use the recommendations in this blog to guide important closure decisions.
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Review Your K-12 School’s Performance Management System

Independent K-12 schools should review and, if necessary, revise their employee performance management systems. Doing so will not only help employees meet their goals and satisfy the school's needs, but can avoid surprising poor performers and potentially triggering claims against the school.
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Increased Risks and Costs of Arming Educators

When deciding whether to arm educators, K-12 schools should consider the following heightened costs, risks, and liability.
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Planning and Executing Your Return to Campus: Considerations for Leaders in Education

United Educators partnered with Deloitte to publish this resource to address process questions senior leaders must consider when making key decisions. Recommendations include topics such as implementing a COVID-19 response team, tabletop exercise processes, planning for key reopening activities, a sample decision-making framework, and a roadmap for recovery and resuming campus operations.
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Managing Risks Associated With Faculty Use of Social Media

This publication discusses common issues arising when higher ed faculty members post on social media platforms, particularly on controversial topics.  It makes various recommendations for institutions, including developing appropriate social media guidelines and educating the campus community about the applicability and limits of academic freedom.
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Prevention and Protection Podcast: Academic Closures with Husch Blackwell

In this episode of Prevention and Protection, attorney Ellen Babbitt discusses managing the risks of higher ed academic program changes driven by economic pressures; these range from eliminating majors to closing institutions. Ellen and her colleagues at Husch Blackwell wrote UE’s recently released publications on the topic, including an overview guide and four detailed checklists.
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What You Can — and Can’t — Borrow from Other ERM Programs

For those contemplating an enterprise risk management (ERM) program and/or looking to peers and other institutions for advice, United Educators (UE) delineates common elements of programs and those elements you should be more cautious in borrowing from others.
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Sharing Campus Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many colleges and universities are sharing their facilities and resources during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As institutions open residence halls and donate supplies for hospital use and offer dining services, athletic arenas, or parking lots for use by relief agencies, they should also ensure that adequate MOUs, contracts, insurance, procedures, and security are in place.
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Three Keys to a Successful ERM Program

Whether you are just starting out with enterprise risk management (ERM) or trying to sustain your mature program, United Educators (UE) recommends orienting around three keys to ensure your ERM program's success.
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Checklist: General Planning for All Program Changes

This checklist will assist institutions with general planning for any type of academic program change, including program reduction or discontinuance, change of institutional control, and institutional closure. Institutions also can use it for periodic evaluations of their programs.
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Academic Program Changes and Institutional Closures

UE has created five resources — a guide and four checklists — for higher education institutions confronting possible program changes, including potential closure due to financial struggles or unforeseen events such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The resources will help institutions understand how to act in ways that are procedurally proper, well-supported, and sensitive to the interests of multiple stakeholders — especially the institution’s students and employees.

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Guide to Manage Risks Associated With Program Change

This publication provides an overview of considerations relevant for institutions that need to consider academic program changes, which include program reductions or discontinuances, changes of institutional control, and full institutional closures. It also offers boards and institutional leaders practical guidance on planning for and implementing these changes.
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Checklist: Institutional Closure

This checklist provides institutions with detailed guidance on planning and implementing an institutional closure. United Educators recommends using this checklist in conjunction with the checklist on general planning for all program changes.
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Checklist: Change of Institutional Control

This checklist provides institutions with detailed guidance on planning and implementing a change in institutional control. United Educators recommends using this checklist in conjunction with the checklist on general planning for all program changes.
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Checklist: Program Reduction or Discontinuance

This checklist provides institutions with detailed guidance on planning and implementing a reduction or discontinuance of an academic program. United Educators recommends using this checklist in conjunction with the checklist on general planning for all program changes.
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What are the Benefits of Having an ERM Program?

For those contemplating an enterprise risk management (ERM) program for their institution or who need help convincing others to participate, United Educators (UE) outlines three main benefits to having an ERM program on campus: minimizing critical vulnerabilities, improving strategic decision-making, and boosting overall institution performance.
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Apologies and Expressions of Empathy

Public statements of apology, empathy, or regret by presidents or high-ranking officials at K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are increasingly common. Follow this blog's guidance when crafting an apology for your institution.
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Prepare for Claims Brought Under State Reviver Statutes

State reviver statutes, which extend or "revive" expired statutes of limitations for claims involving sexual abuse of minors, are passing with increased frequency.  This article outlines steps you can take to prepare for claims against your institution if a reviver statute is enacted in your state.
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K-12: Use a Maturity Tool to Advance the ERM Process

A mature enterprise risk management (ERM) program integrates with strategic planning, budgeting, and departmental initiatives — a necessity in a competitive, changing landscape. It also identifies gaps in developing a school's culture of proactive, collaborative risk management. United Educators (UE) recommends auditing your ERM program with this education-specific maturity tool — informed by research with institutions and experts — to understand where your processes stand today and set future goals.
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Higher Ed: Use a Maturity Tool to Advance the ERM Process

Audit your enterprise risk management (ERM) program with this education-specific maturity tool — informed by research with institutions and experts — to understand where your processes stand today and set future goals.
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Higher Ed Checklist: Reporting Campus Sexual Misconduct: Elements of a Policy

Establishing a sound campus reporting structure is critical for addressing the risk of campus sexual misconduct, yet many campuses do not include details about reporting in their Nondiscrimination/Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy.  This checklist guides higher education administrators in evaluating or drafting their sexual misconduct reporting policy.
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Background Check Fundamentals

This publication helps human resources administrators assess the soundness of their background check screening sources, practices, and policy. More institutions are implementing background checks for all employees, contractors, volunteers, and other individuals affiliated with the school, to protect community members and the institution’s resources, improve the quality of hires, and reduce organizational risk.
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Best Practices: Investigations of Sexual Violence and Harassment

A checklist highlighting best practices for conducting investigation of student and employee complaints of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking.
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Powerpoint Summary of Safeguarding Our Schools From Sexual Predators: What Public and Charter School Leaders Should Ask

This powerpoint summarizes the key questions detailed in UE's publication Safeguarding Our Schools From Sexual Predators: What Public and Charter School Leaders Should Ask
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Safeguarding Our Schools From Sexual Predators: What Public and Charter School Leaders Should Ask

Investigations by schools have revealed decades of educator sexual abuse involving scores of victims. Read this publication for key questions principals, district superintendents, and school board members should ask and suggestions for creating a culture of prevention and reporting.
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“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.
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Firearms and Weapons Policies

Every institution should have a policy that directly addresses the possession and use of firearms and weapons on campus.  This blog provides suggested guidelines for drafting or revising a firearms and weapons policy.
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Safeguarding Universities from Sexual Predators: A United Educators Symposium

This report summarizes the symposium attendees’ conversations about challenges, details possible solutions the participants suggested, and provides high-level risk management action steps derived from the attendees and from UE research.
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Powerpoint Summary of Safeguarding our Schools from Sexual Predators: What Independent School Heads and Trustees Should Ask

This powerpoint summarizes the key questions detailed in UE's publication Safeguarding Our Schools From Sexual Predators: What Independent School Heads and Trustees Should Ask
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Powerpoint Summary of Safeguarding our Communities from Sexual Predators: What College Presidents and Trustees Should Ask

This powerpoint summarizes the key questions detailed in UE's publication Safeguarding our Communities from Sexual Predators: What College Presidents and Trustees Should Ask
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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.
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Safeguarding Our Schools From Sexual Predators: What Independent School Heads and Trustees Should Ask

Recent historical investigations by schools have uncovered decades of educator sexual abuse to scores of victims. Read this publication for key questions school leaders should ask and suggestions for creating a culture of prevention and reporting.
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Safeguarding Our Communities From Sexual Predators: What College Presidents and Trustees Should Ask

Universities have faced sexual predator scandals involving scores of victims, and some leaders were uninformed. Presidents and trustees can safeguard their communities by asking key questions and following these suggestions for creating a culture of prevention and reporting.
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Prevention and Protection Podcast: The Role of Campus Diversity and Inclusion Offices in Campus Protests

In this episode of the Prevention and Protection podcast, United Educators attorney Kimberly Cole interviews Dr. Leah Cox, vice president for inclusion and institutional equity at Towson University, about the role that campus diversity and inclusion offices can play in managing campus protests.
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Webinar: Tenure Evaluation Challenges

This webinar addresses challenges that higher education institutions face when considering tenure candidates.

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Foundations of Risk Management: Rise Above Uncertainty

The videos and resources in this training will introduce the foundations of risk management and provide practical guidance for committing to a sustained process.

Responding to a Social Media Crisis

When signs arise that a crisis is unfolding related to your college or university, the social media team should assess the situation to determine the facts and potential impact throughout your communities.
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The New Digital Normal on Campus

This blog summarizes steps institutions can take to evaluate their current social media team, craft and enforce a social media use policy, and respond to a social media crisis, bringing the institution in line with the "new normal" of a social media-driven world.
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Rise Above Uncertainty: Advancing Risk Management at Independent Schools

This report summarizes the findings from a year-long project by UE and NAIS to assess the state of risk management in independent schools. It identifies common practices that can help every independent school succeed at risk management.
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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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Member Spotlight: Grinnell College Makes ERM a Priority

Most higher education institutions haven’t embraced the concept of enterprise risk management (ERM), according to recent research. Instead, they tend to tackle one hazard at a time, which is less likely to identify and resolve damaging risks. Grinnell College is trying to change that—one small liberal arts college at a time—beginning at home.

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Sample Enterprisewide Risks for a Liberal Arts College

Here are some risks a liberal arts college might face that could necessitate the implementation of an enterprisewide risk management (ERM) strategy.

ERM: Making Progress a Priority

The Association of Governing Boards (AGB) and United Educators (UE) have worked together on risk management for more than 15 years producing short white papers, a book written by UE’s president, and two comprehensive national surveys on enterprise risk management (ERM). The issue continues to be of significant importance to AGB and UE as we work to help you ensure the long-term success of this country’s colleges and universities.   

Identifying Risks With a Spotlight and a Flashlight

Last week, I attended two events that helped me understand how leaders are thinking about the emerging risks faced by higher education. The first was the launch of a leadership development program sponsored by Georgetown University and Arizona State University and the second was the EACUBO workshop where I spoke on the current state of enterprise risk management (ERM). 

The Long-Term Impact of the Freeh Report

As a risk management and governance report, the Freeh Report stands out for providing guidance, reflection, and a road map for administrators and trustees as they consider ways to improve communication, establish accountability, and reduce risks. And Penn State (PSU) has made great strides since the report was first published, strengthening security to protect minors, improving the structure of the board, conducting training on the Clery Act, and making a significant commitment to train the entire PSU community on abuse awareness.

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What Did the Recession Teach Us?

As the economy recovers, albeit more slowly than any of us would want, I wonder: will we look back on the great recession with the comfort and perspective of hindsight and judge education as over-reacting to the risks, ignoring the opportunities? Did some colleges and universities miss opportunities for investments, hiring faculty, expanding into new enrollment markets or other strategic and, yes, courageous moves? Did higher education fail to understand the societal shifts that were changing the behavior of students and their families? Looking inward instead of focusing a clear eye on the environment is a risk.

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10 Takeaways From the ERM Session at AGB

I just returned from the AGB national conference where my book was formally introduced. A few takeaways from the roundtable session on ERM attended by trustees, college presidents, and general counsels and moderated by Michael Somich, Duke University and Raina Rose Tagle, Baker Tilly (both were great moderators):

• The Board's most important role in risk management? Changing the culture so everyone cares about management of risk. 

Risk Management and Governing Boards

AGB just published a book I wrote, Risk Management: An Accountability Guide for University and College Boards.

An interesting story of how it came to be. Back in the 1990s when risk management focused on buying insurance and safety concerns, AGB approached UE to help trustees understand their role in the risk management process. A 16-page pamphlet was produced. Ten years later, in 2008, AGB asked UE to respond to consistent and persistent requests from governing boards on what they should be doing about risk management. The result was a national survey on the state of risk management and a 28-page pamphlet, which is one of the most downloaded documents on the AGB website.

Managing Fan and Player Violence at Sporting Events

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Managing the Unthinkable PowerPoint

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