Risk Management

Your first responsibility in an emergency is to safeguard the well-being of program participants.  As faculty director, you are responsible to manage whatever emergencies occur on your F-L program.  Should you be rendered unable to carry out your duties, you will need a back-up.  During the proposal process you were required to designate a Co-director in advance. Now that your faculty-led proposal has been approved for upcoming travel, preparing a contingency plan that addresses procedures in case of absence or incapacity of the faculty director will need to be completed. 

Risks exist on virtually any type of travel; be it domestic or international.  Being proactive is crucial.  If the risky activity is NOT related to the course, it should NOT be included in the program.  High risk activities such as mountain climbing, bungee jumping, scuba diving should be avoided.

Crisis planning, preparedness, response, and management are vital to the success of any faculty-led experience.  Faculty directors are pivotal in handling abroad emergencies!  Not having a crisis plan in place puts everyone at risk including your students, your co-directors, your university, and lastly YOU.

Consider the following when creating a risk management plan - note: the Faculty-Led office’s role is to provide assistance, guidance, and support as you develop and lead your course-base experience abroad. 

• The Faculty director will develop a strategic plan to manage on-site emergencies for possible risks including student issues from illness to disciplinary actions, emergency evacuation due to political unrest, natural disaster, terrorist attack in program city, group housing reassignment, etc. Working with your co-director if a situation arises where one of the faculty needs to be away from the group to assist a student with a medical or conduct issue to ultimately accompanying the student home to ISU.
• Identify an emergency evacuation plan that includes at least one alternative site that will accommodate housing for the group.  Students should be made aware of a meeting point during on-site orientation—know immediately where to go during an emergency. 
• You are serving as an on-site advisor for your students: mental health issues, medications, sexual harassment, student conduct, cultural adjustment, crime, emergencies, etc. As you develop your plan for the ISU program, use the ISU Student and Faculty Code of Conduct as a reference to make sure to adhere to university policies. In case of student misconduct issues such as alcohol and drug usage, skipping class or planned excursions, tardiness these matters need to be immediately addressed onsite. Failing to have a set plan to address these types of situations can disrupt the educational experience for the participants.
• Risk management protocol plan should include: 

                1. Communication with students and university

                2. Physical health and medical strategy

                3. Abidance of the ISU Code of Conduct

                4. Title IX and Clery Act

• In the plan, explain your process in decision making during an emergency:

                1. Assessment: first step - “How” serious is issue

                2. Securing Students: administer any first aid, calling for assistance

                3. Communication: FERPA

                4. Documentation: If a crisis should occur—keep a written record of all steps taken.

All ISU Faculty-Led programs must be registered with the Department of State - STEP - Student Traveler Enrollment Program.

All ISU Faculty-Led programs are covered under GEOBlue Insurance that provides emergency medical assistance and evacuation due to political unrest or natural disaster.

Again, being proactive to anticipate the “what ifs” and “just in case” will be well worth the effort if an emergency or minor disruptions occur while on your faculty-led experience.  The Center for Global Engagement will assist you in creating a risk management plan conducive to your abroad location.

For many ISU students this could be the trip of a lifetime!  Don’t fall victim to underestimating the challenges of faculty-led travel.  As a faculty leader of a group of ISU students on a course-base experiential learning program, the experience can be rewarding both professionally and personally.   The rewards definitely outweigh the challenges!