Risk management – two little words that mean "no fun" to many
Greeks, but mean "reduced liability" to their advisors and universities
– is a necessary ingredient in chapter management and welfare. Often unpopular
with chapter members, risk management policies are guidelines and rules
that help chapters manage risk and liability in areas such as alcohol-related
accidents, athletics, new-member programs, social activities, and sexual
harassment.
All nationals have risk management policies. Unfortunately, few locals
are aware of what risk management means, and how and why their chapters
should adopt such policies. Locals are often at the most risk because few
have the funds for liability insurance, legal counsel or risk management
advisors. As local Greeks move into the 21st Century and interact with
an increasingly sue-happy society, it’s imperative to develop risk management
guidelines – and follow them through. In a university judicial review or
court of law, a chapter and its officers have to show that they did everything
they could to limit liability and risk in all situations.
Greeks need risk management. So where should you start? How can locals
develop their own risk management policies? Before you begin, you have
to understand what obstacles risk management faces in national chapters
and why. These are the same obstacles you will face if you don’t plan ahead
and educate your chapter first.
Those of us familiar with risk management know that it has a serious
PR problem among undergrads, despite the fact that such policies are designed
to protect members.
Risk management guidelines are rigid and unbreakable, often forcing
members to disregard policies or interpret them in a way that is not conducive
to an effective risk management program. For instance, the Interfraternity
Conference guidelines concerning guest attendance, for a very long time,
has required that no more than three times the number of members of the
fraternity can be present at an event where alcohol is being consumed.
Some wonder whether that is a practical request or if it is even enforceable.
Another reason risk management is so ill received by members is that
models and programs prescribed by advisors, university officials and officers,
although well intended, are so impractical that they are often neglected
until the risks have turned into a crisis.
Such is the case with alcohol consumption. Alcohol education has never
reached the mark because most alcohol education has focused on the harmful
effects of alcohol consumption rather then on responsible use and health
behaviors.
Essentially, risk management in Greek organizations has focused on education
and prevention rather than addressing the behaviors and beliefs associated
with high risk activities.
Risk management should be examined in all domains: socials and parties,
athletics, housing, new member activities and other activities typically
associated with Greek organizations. This means that risk management should
include identifying potential risks, implementing a risk management strategy
and educating the chapter and Greek community to create high risk behavior
change.
Start writing down your chapter's activities. What kind of parties and
social gatherings do you have? When and how is alcohol involved? Do you
participate in athletic teams? What about new member activities? What do
your new members do to join the organization? In two weeks, we'll show
you how to rate your chapter's activities on the Low-Risk/High-Risk Continuum
and what that risk could mean to your members.