rganizations have been a topic of concern from a liability perspective for university administrators for many years. Involvement in a wide variety of activities ranging from sky diving to elderly care results in a severe liability exposure for Student Organizations and the University. Claims for negligent acts or omissions resulting in personal injury or property damage to others and which result from the activities of that organization, may be imposed on the individuals involved, the student organization, faculty and staff advisors, and the University, depending on the circumstances.
University Administrators would like to be able to approach these loss exposures pro-actively by providing the student organizations with a way to evaluate the level of liability protection that the organization members have via the SSLP fund and their potential need for commercial liability insurance. Of extreme importance is the consistent and continual education of faculty, staff and students about their potential liability exposures, the limitations in liability coverage through the SSLP, and the evaluation of their need for outside coverage.
It is not the role of the risk management office on campus to determine the legitimacy of student organization activities, but rather to evaluate and manage, in cooperation with faculty, staff and students, the liability exposures which Student Organization activities may create.
Contact the Risk and Compliance Manager for assistance, x2053.