Risk Management Steps for Faculty (Service-Learning)

Faculty need to think through risk, then take measures to keep everyone safe. SL staff can help faculty navigate these topics and the following steps.  (This process was approved by BSU Risk Management on April 2024)

1. Include risk management language in your syllabus

The Boise State Office of Risk Management recommends faculty include the following text on their syllabi, especially if faculty are asking students to participate in SL experiences off-campus.

Risk and safety

“Service-learning activities can involve risk. However, participants can work together to manage risk and promote safe, minimal-risk environments. For guidance read this list of safety tips.”

“In case of injury, students are covered under worker’s compensation, which is subject to a favorable review from the insurance agency. If they deviate from the scope of the work listed here, they will not be covered by worker’s compensation. If students drive their own motor vehicle for transportation to, during, or from the program site, they are responsible for their own acts and for the safety and security of their own vehicle, and the liability of themselves and their passengers. Students’ personal automobile insurance coverage is the primary coverage on their personal vehicle, and the University’s automobile insurance does not provide coverage of personal automobiles.”

2. Discuss safety and risk with community partners (CPs):

• Outline the specific risks involved in this placement.  Are there any risks to the students, clients, community partners, or others?  Are there ways to minimize those risks?
• Will students ever work unsupervised with clients? If so, what safety measures are (or could be) in place to protect clients and students?
• What role will each person (CP/faculty) play in providing safety information, e.g., discuss in class and/or at CP orientation?
• Note: If students will do direct service (direct client contact, physical labor, or onsite administrative work), the instructor should ask if the CP has “liability insurance covering volunteers” (a verbal “yes” is good enough).

3. Provide guidance if students are designing their own project:

• Set clear project parameters
• Review and approve projects, considering potential risks (listed previously); you should always know what students are doing
• Students should use the Student Initiated Project form or a class-specific document containing the same risk management language. The form outlines learning goals, project purpose, activities, community partner contact information, risk, and liability.
• Follow-up with students, especially as they begin
• Check-in with students at regular intervals
• Be actively involved in helping students resolve any concerns

4. Discuss safety and risk with students:

• Discuss safety tips. Add specifics based on the specific partnership and project.
• Take time to explain potential risks to students, including telling them about liability while driving or if injured at the site and whether insurance covers/does not cover them (see previous language).
• Clarify how students should report problems or injuries (see Risk Management FAQs)

Questions?

(Content on this page was reviewed and approved by Elaine Noot, Boise State Office of Risk Management & Insurance, May 2024)