What is a Student Risk Management Program
How Student Cultures Minimize Hazing, Alcohol, and Social Risks
Sep 1, 2009
A Colorado State University sorority was recently removed from campus as a result of a police investigation. The investigation, the results of which were published in CSU's The Rocky Mountain Collegian, found numerous allegations of hazing, harassment, and cruelty. Hazing, which is often thought to be a part of certain student cultures, is something that is easily preventable through the use of effective risk management programs and strategies.
Another case of hazing brings to light the use of risk management programs within unique student cultures, such as sororities, fraternities, and other unique organizations. These programs are put in place in order to prevent or greatly reduce the risks of hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, and other incidents such as automobile accidents when traveling. Risk management not only helps to prevent or greatly reduce these issues, but also educate members about the implications of their actions.
What Is Risk Management
According to Texas A&M University, risk management is "the process of advising organizations of the potential and perceived risks involved in their activities, providing education about the guiding boundaries established for organizations, and taking corrective actions and proactive steps to minimize accidental injury and/or loss." This includes everything from making sure that organizations represent themselves and affiliated institutions accurately to preventing catastrophic accidents.
Student groups that are affiliated with larger organizations, such as sororities and fraternities, also have regional, national, or international risk management guidelines that deal with the unique aspect of these organizations. These policies may include anything from rules regarding alcohol use, hazing prevention, and travel and event restrictions. Policies may also mandate that events end by a certain time of day or night in order to prevent traffic accidents or property damage.
What Risk Management Does
Risk management programs and policies are put in place for various reasons. The main reason for risk management programs is to ensure that all of an organization's programming, events, and policies reduce the inherent risk that comes with group functions. For example, a risk management policy of a sorority or fraternity may be that alcohol is prohibited at all organization functions and on any of the organization's property.
A second reason risk management may be implemented is to reduce the public relations implications of some of these risks. For example, a risk management policy regarding alcohol not only helps to reduce the amount of alcohol-related incidents, but also prevents some of the negative press that may occur when these incidents do happen by saying that programs are already in place or by eliminating a specific problem.
Finally, risk management also serves as an educational venue. Policies serve to educate an organization's members on the risks associated with certain behaviors, regardless of whether or not this behavior takes place in conjunction with the organization. Alcohol awareness and education policies are risk management programs that are useful both within an organization and outside of the organization. Others, such as health education, may not be of use to the organization as a whole but serves to better members.
Risk management is a series of rules and programs set in place in order to protect and educate members on various inherent risks associated with various activities. Effective risk management programs not only reduce the risks involved with certain aspects of group life, but can also enrich the experience of a group's members.
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