Transcript Managing the Risks: Learn. Succeed. Live.

Managing the Risks
A Risk Management Presentation
for
UT Dallas Student Organizations
Managing the Risks
Legislation
Effective September 1, 2007, the 80th Texas Legislature enacted
HB 2639/SB 1138 (Texas Education Code Section 51.9361)
regarding risk management education for members and advisors of
student organizations registered at postsecondary educational
institutions. Under the law, it is mandatory for representatives of
registered student organizations and individuals selected by the
University to complete a risk management educational program.
Managing the Risks
What is risk management?
• Risk management considers the potential and perceived
risk involved in student events and programs.
• It includes monitoring organization activities and taking
both proactive action and corrective steps to minimize
accidental injury and/or loss.
Managing the Risks
Why are we talking about
risk management?
It is the responsibility of the University to define appropriate
boundaries (University policy, the law, etc.) and assist you in
making choices. And it is your responsibility to acknowledge
your own critical role when it comes to your own safety and
that of other members of the campus community. This
presentation is designed to familiarize us as student leaders
and you as members of a UT Dallas student organization with
proper risk assessment and management issues.
For additional assistance on a specific issue, please contact the
Center for Student Involvement (CSI) at 972.883.6551 or
www.utdallas.edu/csi.
Managing the Risks
What are types of risk?
• Physical – injury, illness, death, hazing, sexual assault, binge/excessive
drinking
• Psychological – hazing, sexual assault, eating disorders, alcohol and
drug abuse
• Financial – money handling, fundraising, budgets
• Reputational – the media, views from other members of the
community
• Environmental/physical space – fire safety, property damage,
exceeding room capacity, crowd control, driving
• Other potential harm – underage drinking, violating the law or
University rules
Managing the Risks
High-risk areas
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Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs
Behavior (on or off campus)
Sexual assault and harassment
Hazing
Fire and life safety
Student travel
Managing the Risks
Alcohol and illegal drugs
FACTS*
National statistics indicate:
• 1,800 students between 18-24 die each year from alcohol
related injuries.
• 599,000 students between 18-24 are injured each year because
of alcohol related activities.
• About 25 percent of students report academic problems
associated with drinking.
• One third of students admit to having missed at least one class
due to alcohol/drug use.
* http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/snapshot.aspx
Managing the Risks
Alcohol and illegal drugs
FACTS*
National statistics indicate:
• 2.1 million students drove under the influence of alcohol.
• 31% of men, 23% of women participated in drinking games (17%
men, 9% women reported getting sick or passing out).
• 150,000 students develop alcohol related health problems
(almost 2 percent of these students have attempted suicide).
• On average a student spends $900 on alcohol per year!
* http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/snapshot.aspx
Managing the Risks
Alcohol and illegal drugs
POLICY:
•
The University will impose a minimum sanction of admonition
(written warning) for a first-time alcohol policy violation, and
disciplinary probation and suspension of rights and privileges
for a first-time drug policy violation. Second offenses receive
harsher penalties up to and including suspension or expulsion.
• Other penalties may be imposed for conduct related to the
unlawful use, possession, or distribution of drugs or alcohol.
Penalties include payment for damage to property or such
other penalty as deemed appropriate under the circumstances
of the incident at hand.
Managing the Risks
Alcohol and illegal drugs
Make sure your organization follows all University and Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulations.
www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/documents/UT-Dallas-Title-VChapter-49.pdf and www.tabc.state.tx.us
• Provide an alcohol education program for your members.
• If someone in your organization has problems with alcohol or
illegal drugs, know your resources on campus. Contact your
organization advisor, the Student Counseling Center @
972.883.2575, or the health educator @ 972.883.2747.
Managing the Risks
Alcohol and illegal drugs
If your organization gathers as a group in an off-campus
location that serves alcohol you should:
• Provide a sober designated driver or a system of transportation
for those who are drinking.
• Ensure that members do not participate in “drinking games.” The
end result of these games is to force people to drink excessively.
• If you suspect severe alcohol impairment, call for help immediately.
Remember you cannot “walk off” or “sleep off” alcohol poisoning.
• Healthy Comets: Party Smart kit may be found at
http://www.utdallas.edu/thatguy/docs/PARTY%20SMART%20KI
T%20%2709.pdf
Managing the Risks
Behavior
Whether you are on or off campus, keep in mind that you are a
representative of your student organization as well as a representative of
UT Dallas. Negative actions like fighting, vandalism, arrests will invariably
reflect poorly on your record and possibly tarnish the reputation of your
organization. As well as the University.
Managing the Risks
Behavior
POLICY:
• As a UT Dallas student and member of a student organization, you
are expected to abide by the provisions set forth in the Regents’
Rules and Regulations and University rules. Some of the prohibited
behaviors that can be sanctioned include disorderly conduct,
misrepresentation of self, destruction of University property, and
other violations of the Handbook of Operating Procedures
www.utdallas.edu/deanofstudents/TitleV.html.
• UT Dallas may impose University sanctions for inappropriate
behaviors occurring off campus.
Managing the Risks
Behavior
• Abide by all University policies.
• Act responsibly and respectfully.
• Remember that your organization can place sanctions on you
in cases where behavior has become an issue.
Managing the Risks
Sexual Assault & Harassment
Sexual assault is any unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact against
an individual by another.
Sexual misconduct includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed
towards another individual that does not rise to the level of sexual
harassment but is unprofessional and inappropriate for the workplace or
classroom.
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, verbal or physical conduct of a physical nature when:
a) Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a
term or condition of employment or student status;
b) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for
evaluation in making personnel or academic decisions affecting that
individual;
c) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering
with an individual’s performance as an employee or student or
creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Managing the Risks
Sexual Assault & Harassment
FACTS*
National statistics indicate:
• 57% of rapes occur on a date.
• Only 10-16% of rapes are reported to police.
• Women between the ages of 16 and 19 are 3.5 times more likely to
be a victim.
• Sexual assault is more common at parties and social gatherings.
• At least 1 in 4 women in college will become a victim of a sexual
assault or some form of sexual harassment.
• 80% of sexual assaults on college campuses are committed by an
acquaintance of the victim.
• 50% of the sexual assaults involved alcohol as a contributing factor.
*http://www.slc.edu/security/Statistics_about_Sexual_Assault_and_College_Campuses.php
Managing the Risks
Sexual Assault & Harassment
POLICY:
• UT Dallas is committed to creating and maintaining an educational
environment in which all persons who participate in University
programs and activities can work together in an atmosphere free of
sexual and relationship violence. Sexual assault, dating violence, and
stalking offenses, regardless of the motive or the manner in which
they are executed, are criminal behaviors and produce an environment
counter to the mission and goals of the University.
• Students can face expulsion from the University in sexual assault and
harassment cases. In the State of Texas, sexual assault is considered a
felony offense, and the consequences, more often then not, can lead to
incarceration for anyone found guilty.
• Persons involved in a sexual assault or sexual harassment case can
face University sanctions as well as criminal or civil penalties.
Managing the Risks
Sexual Assault & Harassment
• Do not leave drinks unattended.
• Use a “buddy” system where you can alert your buddy upon feeling threatened
or uncomfortable in a situation.
• Maintain constant awareness of your surroundings.
• For more information please contact the United Against Sexual Assault Project
@ 972.883.2575, or visit www.utdallas.edu/sexualassault/.
• The UT Dallas sexual harassment policy may be found at
http://dox.utdallas.edu/policy1179.
• Additional resources can be found at www.rainn.org
or call 1-800-656 HOPE .
Managing the Risks
Hazing
State law defines hazing as “…any intentional, knowing,
or reckless act, occurring on or off campus of an
educational institution, by one person or acting with
others, directed against a student, that endangers the
mental or physical health or safety of a student for the
purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with,
holding office in, or maintaining membership in any
organization whose members are or include students at
an educational institution.”
Managing the Risks
Hazing
FACTS*
National statistics indicate:
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74% of varsity athletes reported being hazed.
73% of fraternity/sorority members reported being hazed.
64% of club sports members reported being hazed.
56% of performing arts members reported being hazed.
28% of academic organization members reported being hazed.
20% of honor society members reported being hazed.
25% of students believed an advisor or coach knew of hazing.
47% of students arrive at college having experienced at least
one hazing incident.
* http://www.usnews.com/blogs/paper-trail/2008/3/12/study-says-hazing-in-college-is-still-common.html
Managing the Risks
Hazing
POLICY:
• UT Dallas has a ZERO TOLERANCE Policy on Hazing. The
University neither tolerates excuses nor does it acknowledge
different levels of hazing, i.e. “it was just a little hazing”.
• In an effort to encourage the reporting of hazing incidents, the
law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person
who reports a specific hazing event and immunizes that person
from participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from that
report.
• Criminal penalties for failure to report: a fine of up to $2,000,
up to 180 days in jail, or both. Penalties for other hazing
offenses vary according to the severity of the injury, and range
from $500 to $10,000 in fines and up to two years
confinement.
Managing the Risks
Hazing
POLICY:
• Civil penalties for failure to report: an individual can be
personally sued and wages garnished if found guilty.
• Criminal charges and University sanctions may be applied to
both the individual and the student organization for hazing
offenses.
Managing the Risks
Hazing
• Hazing should not be viewed as a tradition to pass on to new
members.
• If you suspect a task or event is hazing related, report it immediately
to the Dean of Students, Athletic Director or Fraternity and Sorority
Life.
• Develop constructive bonding exercises for your group.
• Ask yourself if your group’s actions can be defended in a court of law.
If not, then you need to exercise good judgment and discontinue
those actions.
• Consult with the Dean of Students, Fraternity and Sorority Life, or the
CSI before implementing organization activities and events including
new initiate/pledge/member education programs.
• Hazing prevention resources may be found at
http://www.hazingprevention.org/.
Managing the Risks
Fire and Safety Issues
State law prohibits the possession of any explosive, firearm, imitation
firearm, ammunition or hazardous chemicals on University property.
Managing the Risks
Fire and Safety Issues
FACTS
National statistics indicate:
• Between 2002 and 2005, 39 students were killed and almost 400 were
injured in on-campus fires.
• In over 50% of college fire fatalities, alcohol was a contributing factor.
• Space heaters contribute to 73% of all fire-related deaths on college
campuses.
*adapted from UT Arlington risk management program
Managing the Risks
Fire and Safety Issues
POLICY:
• It is the policy of The University of Texas at Dallas to
provide the safest possible environment for our students,
faculty, staff and visitors. Each member of our academic
community is urged to accept the challenge of maintaining an
accident-free environment.
• Tampering with or destroying fire safety equipment can lead to fines
and fees for repair as well as possible sanctions from law enforcement
authorities and the Dean of Students. In the event that there is an
injury or death, there can also be criminal and civil charges filed
against you and/or your organization.
Managing the Risks
Fire and Safety Issues
• When planning for an event, make sure the venue is large enough to
handle the expected attendance. Crowd control is essential.
• Make sure during organizational meetings and events that all entrances
and exits are unobstructed. Do not obstruct or tamper with smoke
detectors or sprinkler systems.
• Do not overload electrical circuits and remember to always use surge
protectors.
• NEVER IGNORE A FIRE ALARM – “Oh, it’s just another drill”.
• If you suspect or know of anyone who may be in possession of any
illegal weapons on campus, please report it immediately to UT Dallas
Police at 972.883.2331 or call 911.
Managing the Risks
Student Travel
Student travel incorporates any travel planned or sponsored by
the student organization or its members as part of the
organization’s activities.
Managing the Risks
Student Travel
FACTS*
National statistics indicate:
• Driver inattention, cell phone usage and fatigue are contributing
factors in over 46% of college student accidents.
• People aged 16 – 24 were involved in 28% of all alcohol related traffic
accidents (this same age group makes up 14% of the U.S. population).
• In 2006, 13,470 people died in crashes involving someone with a
blood alcohol level of .08 or above.
*adapted form UT Arlington risk management program
Managing the Risks
Student Travel
POLICY:
• The UT Dallas Student Travel Policy governs any group/organization
travel as part of a trip planned and/or funded by UT Dallas and is
more than 25 miles away from campus. For more information on the
Student Travel Policy, please refer to
www.utdallas.edu/deanofstudents/travelandevents.html.
• Please contact the CSI for assistance with your organizational travel
@ 972.883.6551 or www.utdallas.edu/csi.
Managing the Risks
Student Travel
• Seat belts are required for ALL the occupants!
• Alcohol and other illegal substances and weapons are strictly
prohibited.
• Make sure the driver/s are in possession of a valid Drivers License.
• It is recommended to always have a more than one driver on each
trip. For trips that are over 1.5 hours long, it is required to have a
minimum of two drivers.
• Drivers must rotate every three (3) hours, and no more than eight (8)
hours should be driven in any one day.
Managing the Risks
Student Travel
• Driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. is not allowed
without prior approval.
• Do not text or use the phone while operating the vehicle. If you need
to use the phone, use a hands-free device but never attempt to text
message while driving.
• Obey the posted speed limits at all times to ensure safety and always
plan ahead for a long trip.
Managing the Risks
Conclusion
• Thank you for participating in this session. Knowing your
responsibilities as a UT Dallas student is important in keeping
you and other members of our organization safe.
• We want our involvement in co-curricular life to be a
successful and positive experience.
• For more information on resources, or if you have questions
about any part of this presentation, please do not hesitate to
contact:
CSI @ 972.883.6551
or www.utdallas.edu/csi.