Student Organizations

Risk in Registered Student Organizations

All of a student group’s activities – interaction with minors, special events, student travel and transportation – have some level of risk associated with them.  This could include personal injury, property damage, financial loss or lawsuits.  A good risk management program aims to minimize these adverse outcomes and maximize the opportunities. For this reason, student organizations, just like any operation, must learn to:

  • Recognize risk in your day-to-day activities.
  • Investigate the impact to the organization.
  • Start taking steps to manage the risk.
  • Know who to go to for help.

Strategies to Manage Risk

  • Travel and transportation come with inherent risks such as the possibility of car accidents.
  • Is your Registered Student Organization (RSO) hosting an event? What are the possible risks or hazards? Could a participant sustain an injury?
  • Does your RSO utilize equipment? Could a theft occur?
  • As a general rule, students are not insured under the University's self-insurance. 
  • How would your RSO’s mission be impacted if there was a theft of equipment?
  • If an incident occurs, do you know what to do next and how to report the incident? 
  • Transportation:
    • When traveling for registered student organization events, student groups should follow University policies regarding renting a vehicle through the University's pre-approved rental agencies or book transportation (charter bus, motor coach, etc.) with Transportation Services.
    • To rent a vehicle, an RSO must:
      • Contact the University’s AAA agent at 513-762-3200 at least 14 days in advance.
      • Let the agent know that they are renting vehicles as an RSO through the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). 
    • If utilizing RSO funding, the confirmation and itinerary will need to be attached to the purchase request in GetInvolvedUC.  Purchase requests must be approved by CSI at least 10 days prior to travel, or the rental will be canceled.
    • If not using RSO funding, the RSO must provide payment to the Center for Student Involvement before travel. Checks should be made out to the University of Cincinnati and delivered to 455 Steger Student Life Center. 
  • National Parent Organization
    • Confirm if your RSO’s national organization has insurance that covers you and your RSO.
  • Special Event Insurance
  • Protect Participants:
    • What can be implemented to lessen the chance of injury, are items such as personal protective equipment needed?
  • Protect Property:
    • Does your club store equipment? Consider installing adequate locks and anti-theft devices to prevent theft.
    • Do not leave property inside vehicles.
  • Alcohol:
  • Waivers/ Release of Liability:
    • Contact Enterprise Risk Management to determine if liability waivers should be obtained from event participants. Ask a Risk Manager webform
  • In the event of a crisis or emergency related to the RSO, or a member of the RSO: 
    • Call 911.
    • Notify the RSO’s advisor immediately.
    • Notify CSI staff within 24 hours of the incident.  If outside of business hours, contact the Dean of Students 513-556-4119.
    • Enact any additional crisis management protocol the RSO has in place in collaboration with their advisor and/or CSI.
    • In the event of serious injury or death, information must not be shared publicly or privately (within the RSO) without consent from the member’s family or guardian.