Edu Risk Solutions Blog

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.
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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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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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Campus Sexual Misconduct and Student Social Media Posts

The #MeToo movement has created a proliferation of social media posts by alleged sexual assault victims. In the context of campus sexual misconduct proceedings, higher education institutions, which must balance the rights of victims against those of accused students, should review their student conduct codes and educate students on the risks of posting about sexual misconduct allegations.
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Reporting Suspected Child Sexual Abuse

Recent high-profile incidents at educational institutions have re-focused attention on preventing sexual abuse of children. In UE's experience, employees often fail to report “red flags” or suspicions because they do not understand their reporting obligations. The following summarizes important aspects of reporting procedures to ensure legal compliance and protect children from harm.
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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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Trust Betrayed Video

This short video explores reasons serial sexual abuse can remain unexposed at higher education institutions, how to recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse, and concrete steps for reporting incidents or suspicions.

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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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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.
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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.

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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Using Physical Restraints on Students

Safety holds use physical restraint to restrict a student’s freedom of movement when he or she poses an imminent and serious physical threat to him or herself or others. When used correctly, the holds diffuse potentially dangerous situations, such as a student attempt to use a weapon or otherwise injure himself or others, some experts say.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.

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Preventing Relationship Violence and Stalking

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (Campus SaVE) Act requires higher education institutions to implement education and prevention programs to address dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Studies indicate that relationship violence, which includes domestic and dating violence, is a concern for college-age populations.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Large Loss Report 2015

The Large Loss Report 2015 summarizes major damage awards and settlements exceeding $250,000 that affected schools, colleges, and universities in 2014. Cases include a $1.28 million settlement in a sex discrimination lawsuit against a university, a $75 million settlement with the NCAA to settle class action lawsuits for head injuries, and a $139 million settlement in a K-12 sex abuse case—the largest settlement of its kind.
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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.
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Complying With the Campus SaVE Act

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act), which became effective in March, creates new compliance obligations for higher education institutions. Part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA), the law comes at a time of multiple high-profile government investigations of campus response to sexual misconduct allegations and a recent White House Task Force report on protecting students from sexual assault.

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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Preventable Claims: Excessive Use of Force by Campus Police

Many schools and universities have revised policies, increased the use of armed guards, and implemented other security measures to better protect students, faculty, and staff. However, it is critical that institutions understand the inherent risks in working with campus and third-party security forces; the use of excessive force when dealing with a suspected threat can pose an additional safety risk in a volatile situation.

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Webinar: Preventing Student Sexual Violence - Transforming Campus Culture

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

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.

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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.

Criminal Background Checks of Incoming Students

Background checks can be a useful screening tool for incoming students if institutions develop policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and fairness to applicants and students.
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Best Practices for Operating Campus Child Care Centers

Many educational institutions operate day care centers for the children of faculty, staff, or students. Although the centers provide significant benefits, they also generate liability risks. To minimize risks, centers must follow state licensure regulations and follow detailed guidelines developed by experts in the field. In addition, the following best practices will help institutions develop policies and actions to protect a vulnerable population:
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Student Dance Events

Student dances can be a healthy way for students to unwind, but without proper attention and planning, these social events can quickly get out of hand. United Educators has received claims related to student dances that included physical and sexual assaults, alcohol and substance abuse, and slips and falls. College policies governing student dances can help to ensure student safety and mitigate risks to the institution.
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Student Gambling Policies

According to the most recent National Annenberg Survey of Youth, more than half of all college-age men and one third of college-age women gamble once a month. Researchindicates that students are more susceptible to developing “disordered” gambling habits than the general adult population, and they show an increase in related problematic behaviors, such as substance abuse.
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Stalking Prevention and Response

Stalking and related violence against students is a growing concern on many college campuses. According to a recent U.S. Department of Justice study, 14 out of every 1,000 people age 18 or older are victims of stalking every year. The study found that two-thirds of victims received unwanted phone calls and messages, and approximately one-third of victims also received unwanted letters or emails, were the target of rumors, were followed or spied upon, or found the stalker showing up unexpectedly or waiting for him or her.
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Further Resources for Threat Assessment Guide

Campus Security The following federal, state, and professional organizations issued reports examining campus security in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings. These reports are recommended reading particularly for those institutions located in the states that have issued a report.
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