As part of any post-secondary academic experience,
activities on and off college campuses are susceptible to varying degrees of
risk. In order to ensure risks arising
out of these activities are anticipated, managed and mitigated, California
State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) established a Risk Management program.
While fostering a learning environment, the university has a responsibility to
protect the safety of all faculty, staff, students, and visitors as well as preserve
its physical property. Under Executive
Order 715, the University is responsible for developing and adhering to a risk
management policy and program designed to meet this responsibility. This policy is also designed to meet the
requirements related to risk management under Executive Order 743.
It is the policy of California State University,
Dominguez Hills to promote and facilitate a safe and secure learning
environment while minimizing the risk of financial loss to the State of
California, the Trustees of the CSU, the University, their officers, employees,
representatives and volunteers, through the identification and analysis of
risk, implementation of loss control programs, and reducing the risks by
transfer of financial responsibility.
3.1
Identification of Risk is the identification of potential loss sources
through an ongoing evaluation of risk exposures. Examples of such exposures
associated with academic and operational activities include, but are not
limited to: practices, procedures, new projects, contractual relationships and
unfavorable events that could occur by negligence, oversight or accident. The identification of such exposures are
conducted through:
¨ Review of policies,
procedures, practices, and project plans
¨ Inspection of operational
areas and locales
¨ Analysis of external
incidents through legal and consultative sources that may impact the University
3.2
Evaluation of Risk In 1999, the University completed an assessment of general risks
stemming from campus policy and associated administrative programs. This
assessment (Attachment 1) ranks the probability, impact and the likelihood of
risk reduction through administrative means. Site conditions, current risk
trends, tort law cases affecting similar organizations, and future operations
that may increase risk exposure will also be evaluated using a variety of tools.
3.3 Selection of Best Risk Management Technique After
determination and evaluation of a risk is made, a risk management technique or
combination of techniques is selected to minimize the frequency or severity of
possible loss. These techniques may
include risk transfer by the purchase of insurance, risk avoidance, loss
prevention, loss reduction, training, etc.
3.4 Implementation of Best Risk Management Technique –
Once the best risk management technique has been selected, the Risk Manager, in
conjunction with campus administrators, will ensure the technique is properly
implemented.
3.5 Monitor and Evaluate Results – Upon implementation of the best risk management technique or combinations of techniques, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the technique will be done to determine appropriateness and whether any changes and/or modifications of techniques should be made. The Risk Manager will prepare a biennial report claims arising from campus operations and activities. This report will be comprised of recent claim cost data comparison as well as other safety and risk performance indicators.
The Office of the Vice President for Administration maintains
operational responsibility for the overall Risk Management Program. The VPA has delegated program responsibility
to the campus Risk Manager. The VPA
appoints the members of the Risk Management Advisory Committee to give support
to the establishment of policies and procedures. Campus issues and policy recommendations from the Risk Manager
and the Committee are forwarded to Operations Group via the Vice President for
Administration, for review and approval.
The Risk Management Advisory Committee assists the
Risk Manager in the developing risk management policies and procedures. The Committee meets quarterly to discuss
current issues and trends. The
Committee provides advice, information, and coordination leading to the full
implementation of the risk management program. Committee members include the
following:
·
Human
Resources Management Director
·
Risk
Manager
·
Chief
of Police
·
Student
Union Representative
·
Director
of Physical Plant
·
Workers
Compensation Coordinator
·
Student
Affairs appointee
·
Procurement
Officer
·
Director
of Athletics
·
Director
of Foundation
Depending on the nature and type of risk, members of
this committee may also form Ad Hoc committees to address specific issues
presented by these risks
The Risk Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining campus risk management policies, programs and practices through the Office of Risk Management/Environmental Health and Occupational Safety (RM/EHOS) as well other departments with responsibilities listed below. The office’s overall objective includes the following:
¨
Identify
and assess the risks facing the University and develop methods for controlling
their causes;
¨
Provide
advice, information and coordination leading to the full implementation of risk
management functions by all those having program responsibilities;
¨
Assist
the university community in identifying risks and hazards;
¨
Develop
and implement loss prevention, safety and environmental programs with through
the office of Risk Management/Environmental and Occupational Health;
¨
Provide
training and education on risk management and safety related issues;
¨
Communicate
sound university risk management practices to the university community;
¨
Implement
the campus’ workers compensation, Industrial Disability Leave, and Return to
Work programs;
¨
Review
campus risk management and safety programs annually;
¨
Liaison
with the California State University Risk Management Authority (CSURMA), serve
on the CSURMA Executive Board and coordinate with systemwide risk manager as
well as other campus risk managers;
¨
Establish
programmatic goals to measure the Risk Management program’s effectiveness and
provide the biennial Risk Management report to the Vice President of
Administration and Finance
Human Resources is responsible for employee-related
benefits programs on campus not provided by RM/EHOS, such as: Unemployment
Insurance, Non-Industrial Disability Leave, and Catastrophic Leave. Human Resources is also responsible for
handling claims that allege employment inequity such as Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission and Fair and Equal Housing Administration claims as well
as providing training in these topics.
Procurement and Contract Services is responsible for
ensuring campus compliance with Executive Order 743. Generally, compliance with Executive Order 743 ensures:
¨
Appropriate
risk management language exists in all documents that involve facilities and
property leases;
¨
Affiliation,
Auxiliary, and Foundation operations agreements hold the University and associated
agents harmless or contain appropriate insurance coverages as specified by EO
743;
¨
Service,
construction, and performance contracts hold the University and associated
agents harmless or contain appropriate insurance coverages as specified by EO
743
¨
Appropriate
insurance documentation is provided by outside entities conducting activities on
or with university property
¨
Ensure
that placement agreements include insurance requirements applicable to the
contracting parties
Administrators and Supervisors are responsible for
complying with the campus risk management policy and programs as well as
identifying and managing risks for their program activities. In order to minimize risks from student and
employee activities, administrators must be able to identify problems and
implement practices and procedures to eliminate or reduce the exposure. Administrators, supervisors and coaches must
seek assistance from Procurements and Contracts prior to entering any binding
agreement. With the assistance of
the Risk Manager, administrators and supervisors are responsible for the
following:
¨
Further
the implementation and monitoring of campus risk management and safety programs
at their respective organizational area;
¨
Utilize
departments with the responsibilities listed above for all risk management and
contract needs;
¨
Instruct
employees on performing tasks in a safe manner including job orientation;
¨
Educate
new supervisors on the basics of employee supervision techniques, hazard
recognition, employee motivators such as incentives or disciplinary procedures,
human resource issues and workers' compensation;
¨
Integrate
safety into standard operating procedures;
¨
Establish
measurable safety goals in job performance;
¨
Provide
guidance to employees on risk management practices unique to their respective
areas
¨
Ensure
Administrators and Supervisors are receiving appropriate training as well
__________________________ Date:______________
James
E. Lyons, President