 URMIA News Releases
Click on the year and then titles to see the news releases. The articles appear below, so scroll down to view them.
URMIA RELEASES NEW WHITE PAPERS ON THIRD PARTY CONTRACT GUIDELINES AND REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL
Bloomington, IN – The University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA) announces the release of two new higher education risk management white papers: Third-Party Contract Insurance Guidelines and Request for Proposal: Navigating the Complexities of the RFP.
The 2009 edition of the URMIA white paper, Third-Party Contract Insurance Guidelines, provides updated information and tools to assist risk managers in better understanding the insurance coverage and policy forms associated with third-party contracts. The document provides guidelines to be used as tools in managing higher education contractual risks. Written by John P. McLaughlin, Higher Education Practice, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and reviewed by Michael J. Gansor, West Virginia University, the paper includes extensive information and updated samples for use and adaptation by higher education institutions.
The next recently released URMIA white paper, Request for Proposal: Navigating the Complexities of the RFP, helps higher education risk managers navigate through the process of bidding their insurance portfolios and create and evaluate an RFP for services or for services and insurance combined. Risk managers occasionally need to bid their insurance portfolios to ensure their institutions are receiving the best coverage at the best price. This white paper also helps risk managers create an RFP process that clearly defines their institutions’ needs and organizes the brokers or agents and markets to propose a range of products and services that will meet those needs. Written by Elizabeth J. Carmichael, CPCU, DRM, Five Colleges Incorporated, and reviewed by Allen J. Bova, MBA, ARM, DRM, Cornell University; Mary C. Dewey, CPCU, ARM, CIC, DRM, University of Vermont; and Larry V. Stephens, AIC, ARM, CPCU, AAM, DRM, Indiana University, this document also includes valuable sample materials for risk managers’ use in the RFP process.
URMIA white papers are a benefit of URMIA membership. For non-member requests, please contact Christie Wahlert, URMIA Communications and Marketing Associate, at christie@urmia.org or the URMIA National Office at 812-855-6683.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA ANNOUNCES ITS 2009 INNOVATIVE RISK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AWARD RECIPIENT
Bloomington, IN – The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, is proud to announce that Indiana Wesleyan University is the recipient of the second Innovative Risk Management Solutions Award. This award recognizes innovative thinking and problem solving on which higher education risk managers thrive. The award, which was presented on September 14 at URMIA’s 40th Annual Conference in Nashville, TN, to Jeremy Diller, Director of Risk Management and Insurance for Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), also recognizes the university’s submission as a potential resource for others in the profession of risk management.
Mr. Diller developed a software-based enterprise system to help coordinate the wide variety of issues and details associated with university travel. He explained, “Since IWU does not have a centralized office for international travel, it was important to implement an enterprise-wide solution. The solution had to be a system that could live within the current staffing allotment and be user friendly enough that it would be palatable to our professors. It also needed to integrate our existing resources, allow for approval at the appropriate levels, and be accessible to senior administration in the event of a crisis.”
The final product, the Off-Campus Activity System (OCA), was developed in less than 400 hours by one developer, a student worker, and off-the-shelf software. The total cost for the university to create the OCA was less than $3,500, and it provides a wide variety of reports for insurance renewals and student information tracking.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA INSTALLS NEW PRESIDENT AND OFFICERS FOR 2009-2010
Bloomington, IN – The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, has inducted a new president and officers for 2009-2010. Margaret Tungseth, Assistant Treasurer/Director of Risk Management at Concordia College in Minnesota, took office as URMIA president at the 40th Annual Conference in Nashville, TN, on September 15, 2009. At the conference, over 450 representatives of higher education institutions and insurance organizations converged to discuss the latest information, skills, and resources available for higher education risk managers and insurance providers.
As the incoming president of URMIA, Tungseth will move the organization forward strategically to continue building the profession of risk management in higher education in difficult financial times. In leading URMIA, Tungseth is joined by Mike Bale, Oklahoma State University, President-Elect; JoAnne Flowers, University of Missouri, Secretary; Anita C. Ingram, Southern Methodist University, Treasurer; Michael J. Gansor, West Virginia University, Parliamentarian; and Vincent Morris, Wheaton College, Illinois, Immediate Past President.
Newly elected board members include Steve Bryant, Texas Tech University System; D. Jean Demchak, Marsh; Gary W. Langsdale, Pennsylvania State University; and Donna Pearcy, The University of Iowa. Other members of the Board of Directors include Megan Adams, Princeton University; Julie C. Baecker, University of Alaska; Marjorie F. B. Lemmon, Yale University; David Pajak, Syracuse University; Paul D. Pousson, University of Texas System; and Donna Smith, University of New Mexico.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA ANNOUNCES ITS 2009 DISTINGUISHED RISK MANAGER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Bloomington, IN – The Distinguished Risk Manager (DRM) award is one of the highest honors given by the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education. URMIA is proud to announce that two recipients were selected for the 2009 DRM award: Donna Pearcy, Chief Risk Officer, Risk Management, Insurance and Loss Prevention, The University of Iowa, and Ruth Unks, Risk Manager, Maricopa County Community College District.
DRM award recipients are nominated and selected by their peers. Being honored by one’s peers is a singularly high honor because they, so much better than anyone else, can appreciate all that these recipients have accomplished. Since 1989, URMIA has recognized 39 members with the DRM award.
Donna Pearcy is the Chief Risk Officer, Risk Management, Insurance and Loss Prevention, at The University of Iowa. Ms. Pearcy holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation and also has an MBA. Not only has Ms. Pearcy led national conference presentations for Community College Business Officers (CCBO), National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS), National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO), and URMIA, but she also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa’s College of Business, teaching juniors and seniors the principles of risk management and insurance. She has served on URMIA’s Board of Directors since 2006, served as Chair of the URMIA Membership Committee three times, and is currently a member of the URMIA Finance Committee and the Total Cost of Risk Task Force.
Most notably in 2008, Ms. Pearcy witnessed first hand how the university’s one-year old emergency preparedness plan responded to a flood that surpassed both 100- and 500-year levels. Due to her tireless efforts, she was recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for “helping to manage a process with multiple partners that has successfully led the university to receive more than $83 million in state and federal aid.” She was also given a special Distinguished Leadership Award from the university and was promoted to Chief Risk Officer.
Ruth Unks is Risk Manager at the Maricopa County Community College District. Ms. Unks holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation. She teaches classes on risk management for several professional organizations, and she also serves as a member of the Insurance Institute of America’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Course Assessment and Exam Committee. She teaches both Certified Risk Managers International (CRM) and ARM courses.
She has served on the National Board of Directors of Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) for six years with one year as president and two years as past president. She currently serves on URMIA’s Inter-Association Alliances Committee and, in 2007, was the first recipient of URMIA’s Innovative Risk Management Solutions Award for the MIRA process, a system-wide Enterprise Risk Management process implemented on her home campus. Ms. Unks is a valuable resource to the community college district on crisis management, insurance coverages, risk control programs, OSHA compliance, and insurance language for contracts. She is a frequent presenter and guest lecturer for PRIMA, URMIA, Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA RELEASES ITS 2009 SCHOLARLY PUBLICATION, THE URMIA JOURNAL
Bloomington, IN, USA, July 27, 2009 – The University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA) , the preeminent source for higher education risk management and insurance information, announces the release of the 2009 edition of its annual scholarly publication, the URMIA Journal. The 2009 edition of the URMIA Journal is a compilation of six articles focusing on higher education risk management, particularly current topics, trends, and other changes impacting risk managers and insurance professionals. Article submissions went through a rigorous review and editing process and were peer-reviewed by the URMIA Communications Committee. The articles represented in the 2009 edition of the URMIA Journal were selected for their timeliness, professionalism, and high degree of expected those involved with the risk management and insurance functions on college and university campuses.
The six articles in this edition cover everything from cyber liability to university mutuals and from the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to toxic chemicals on campus. For more information about URMIA or to submit an article for consideration in the next URMIA Journal, please visit www.urmia.org or contact the URMIA National Office at urmia@urmia.org or 812-855-6683.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA’S 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Bloomington, IN, USA, July 24, 2009 – Six members of the University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA) have been selected as recipients of the association’s 2009 Annual Conference Scholarship Program. This year, URMIA's scholarship program was expanded to support more members during these difficult financial times. The scholarship program provides educational opportunities for higher education risk management professionals by providing financial support of their participation at URMIA’s 40th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 12-16, 2009.
URMIA awarded three traditional, merit-based scholarships and three need-based scholarships, which were awarded by a lottery system. The traditional scholarship recipients were selected by the URMIA Membership Committee. Scholarships are funded by proceeds from URMIA’s annual raffle event, as well as the support from URMIA sponsor Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
The Membership Committee wishes to thank all of the highly-qualified individuals who submitted applications. Please help us congratulate:
- Eric Blomfelt, Risk Manager, University of Wyoming (Traditional)
- Anne-Gwin Duval, JD, CPCU, Risk Manager, Tulane University (Traditional)
- Lee Ann Hall, Director of Business Services and Risk Management, Ohio Northern University (Traditional)
- Mimi Konicki, Risk Management, The University of Toledo (Need-Based)
- Stevie Krumrine, Director, Risk Management, Carroll Community College (Need-Based)
- Mark Logel, Director, Administrative Services, University of Evansville (Need-Based)
For complete information on URMIA’s 40th Annual Conference, please visit www.urmia.org or contact the URMIA National Office at urmia@urmia.org or 812-855-6683.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
Emergency Preparedness a High Priority for Colleges and Universities
URMIA Serves as Partner on Newly Released Campus Safety Report Indicating Campuswide Preparedness at Majority of Institutions
Washington, DC, USA, July 16, 2009 – Are our nation’s colleges and universities prepared to respond to a campuswide emergency? The results of the newly released National Campus Safety and Security Project survey, spearheaded by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), indicate that the majority of higher education institutions have instituted campuswide emergency preparedness plans that cover a wide spectrum of possible emergencies. What’s more, in a demonstration of necessary interdepartmental cooperation, campus leadership on emergency preparedness is widely shared across many college and university departments.
Highlights include the following: 85% of all survey respondents have an emergency preparedness plan that at least meets the standards set by the National Fire Protection Association; two-thirds of public and private four-year colleges and universities have a plan in place for communicating with students, faculty, and staff during and after an emergency; and 77% of respondents have adopted an on-campus emergency preparedness committee that includes membership from a wide variety of departments.
Jim Hyatt, the project director for the National Campus Safety and Security Project, and senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer, University of South Florida, notes, “It was gratifying to see the number of respondents that had an emergency management plan in place and that had a comprehensive emergency management committee.”
Adds John Palmucci, vice president, finance and treasurer, Loyola College in Maryland, “The sharing of information, solutions and possible tactics for prevention contained in the report are unprecedented. It will become the focus of conversations among all of our campus constituents.”
The report is based on responses to the National Campus Safety and Security Survey. It was distributed by NACUBO to the chief business officers at 2,203 institutions in August 2008, as part of the National Campus Safety and Security Project, which was launched by a NACUBO-led consortium of leading professional organizations committed to campus safety and security to learn more about specific plans and procedures colleges have implemented to address today’s all-hazards state of campus safety and security.
The survey report can be downloaded from the NACUBO website, and NACUBO will publish a book by Jim Hyatt in early 2010 that analyzes the campus safety study results, presents six case studies, and looks at how to build effective prevention and response programs. Click here to download the survey report directly from the URMIA website.
Contact: Lisa Jordan, 202-861-2565, lisa.jordan@nacubo.org
About NACUBO
NACUBO, founded in 1962, is a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 2,100 colleges and universities across the country. NACUBO’s mission is to promote sound management and financial practices at colleges and universities.
Partnering Associations
- National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
- APPA, Leadership in Educational Facilities
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
- Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)
- Campus Safety Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA)
- EDUCAUSE, Transforming Education Through Information Technologies
- International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA)
- National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
- University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA)
Reactions to the report from members of the Campus Safety and Security Project Steering Committee:
“It is clear from the survey results that institutions of higher education take seriously their responsibility to foster safe and secure environments for their students, employees, and guests. It is very encouraging that nearly all institutions address natural disasters, acts of violence, and other man-made events in their emergency preparedness plans. However, only 3 in 4 institutions (75.6 percent) have addressed pandemic planning and even fewer (51.9 percent) are prepared for cyber disruptions. Similarly, only 25.7 percent of institutions have conducted exercises or tests for a pandemic emergency and only 14 percent for a cyber disruption. Accordingly, survey results indicate that there is still room for improvement because the Campus Safety and Security Project encourages an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness.”
Rodney J. Petersen, J.D.
Government Relations Officer & Director of EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity Initiative, EDUCAUSE
“It was good to see that considerable progress has been made in the area of communications, specifically, the need for multiple means (i.e. redundant) of mass communication including both high and low-technology methods.”
William M. Elvey, P.E.
Director for Facilities Management, University of Texas at Dallas
“The survey will allow institutions to benchmark their own efforts and see how they compare to the rest of higher education but also, it should help folks prioritize their safety and security planning efforts.”
Allen J. Bova
Director of Risk Management and Insurance, Cornell University
“The CSSP report offers college and university administrators the information they need to reinvest in their safety and security program. Finally, information has been collected to guide future efforts in safety, and emergency management.”
Dennis K. Sullivan, CHMM, CEM
Assistant Director/Emergency Manager Department of Environmental Health and Safety, University of Louisville
“The initial results from the survey should serve as a roadmap for the higher education community as we work to enhance our readiness to respond to emergency situations. It is clear that in spite of significant progress in some areas, there remains considerable work to undertake, including recognizing the important role of an emergency manager and dedicating appropriate resources to this critical function.”
Steven J. Healy
Margolis, Healy and Associates
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
HIGHER EDUCATION RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OPENS REGISTRATION FOR ITS 40TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Bloomington, IN, USA, May 5, 2009 – The University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA) opened registration for its 40th Annual Conference, which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from September 12-16, 2009. The aim of the conference, Tuning Your Risk Management Skills, is to provide information and resources that every level of higher education risk management and insurance professional can use at their own institutions or companies to take advantage of new opportunities and face the unique challenges of today. To make the conference as accessible as possible, registration rates will not increase from last year’s rates. To view the complete agenda, speaker biographies, or to register today, please visit the conference website at https://www.urmia.org/annual/Nashville2009/.
URMIA’s mission is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. As the financial crisis continues, many in higher education are being asked to do more with less every day. As a result of our current economic times, however, risk management in higher education has perhaps never been more important. University leaders are looking to risk management professionals to help them limit costs while still ensuring a safe, protected environment. With conference sessions on building total cost of risk databases, understanding the cycles of the insurance market and the economy, managing impacts on endowments and investments, and understanding the P&C market, this year's conference will give attendees the tools needed to help them usher their institutions through this current crisis.
URMIA is also offering an extended Annual Conference Scholarship Program for URMIA members. For more information or to apply for a scholarship, please visit https://www.urmia.org/secure/scholarshipac.cfm.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA ANNOUNCES THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM RECIPIENTS AND FIRST INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Bloomington, IN, USA, April 1, 2009 – The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, is proud to announce the fellowship recipients for its 2009 International Fellowship Program (IFP). The IFP aims to fulfill two main goals: providing the URMIA membership with valuable expertise and knowledge regarding international risk and insurance practices and increasing URMIA's international presence. The four fellows for the second year of the program are: Mike Bale, Oklahoma State University; Mark Briggs, University of Illinois; Joyce Fred, Oregon State University; and Kathy E. Hargis, Lipscomb University. The fellows will travel to London from May 11-15, 2009, on an intensive, week-long trip to learn about international risk management and insurance practices and share their knowledge and experience with risk management professionals in the UK.
In 2008, URMIA inaugurated the IFP, sending four experienced URMIA members to London for international risk management study. The fellows in the 2009 program were selected for their experience in higher education risk management and their participation with URMIA. Bale, Briggs, Fred, and Hargis will work closely with URMIA affiliates, international risk managers and insurance brokers and underwriters in London, and the previous year’s fellows.
URMIA is also proud to announce its first international regional conference, the London Regional Conference, on May 15, 2009. Designed to coincide with the fellowship recipients’ visit, the conference will give participants an inside view of US risk management methods that may be utilized in the UK, as well as the chance to network with UK risk management colleagues and share experiences, problems, and solutions. If you would like to be notified of when conference registration opens and additional information as it becomes available, contact the URMIA National Office at urmia@urmia.org.
Following the experience, the fellows will produce a white paper for the membership, detailing new ideas and perspectives on international risk management acquired as a result of the fellowship experience. To request a copy of the 2008 International Fellowship Program White Paper, please contact urmia@urmia.org. The fellows will also present a session at the URMIA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 12-16, 2009.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA INSTALLS NEW PRESIDENT AND OFFICERS FOR 2008-2009
Bloomington, IN, USA, October 14, 2008 – The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, has inducted a new President and officers for 2008-2009. Vincent E. Morris, the Director of Risk Management at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, took office as the new URMIA President at the 39th Annual Conference in Washington, DC, on September 12th. At the conference, representatives of hundreds of higher education institutions and organizations met to discuss the latest information in strategies and tools to help them better manage and mitigate higher education risks and the impact they can have on an organization.
As the 2008-2009 President of URMIA, Morris will continue moving the organization forward strategically to continue building the professionalism of risk management in higher education. In leading URMIA, Morris is joined by Margaret Tungseth, Concordia College (MN), President-Elect; JoAnne Flowers, University of Missouri, Secretary; Anita C. Ingram, Southern Methodist University, Treasurer; Gary W. Langsdale, Pennsylvania State University, Parliamentarian; and Ellen M. Shew Holland, University of Denver, Immediate Past President.
Newly elected Board Members include: Paul D. Pousson, University of Texas System; Megan Adams, Princeton University; and Donna Smith, University of New Mexico. Other members of the Board of Directors include Julie C. Baecker, University of Alaska; Mary Breighner, FM Global; Steve Bryant, Texas Tech University System; Marjorie F. B. Lemmon, Yale University; David Pajak, Syracuse University; Donna Pearcy, The University of Iowa; and Larry V. Stephens, Indiana University.
Morris recently explained his goals as the 2008-2009 President of URMIA: “We have three main tasks this year as we go about our strategic goals. The first is to become ever more competent in running an association, so that we can all be proud of URMIA and feel the organization truly does represent us well, as do our leaders. We want to have a top-flight national office, a well-run board and committees, excellent regional meetings, high-quality publications and web information, and a respected reputation—competency and excellence in all things. The second task is to maintain the essence of URMIA, our sense of community. Since we are a networking organization, each of our memberships becomes more valuable with the addition of each new member, but with that addition comes the danger of distance, of not knowing each other as well anymore… Finally, we really need lots of good content. There is a vast range of topics on which the ‘typical’ risk manager needs to be informed. It is time for URMIA to begin to provide much more of that content.”
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA ANNOUNCES ITS 2008 DISTINGUISHED RISK MANAGER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Bloomington, IN, USA, October 14, 2008 – The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2008 Distinguished Risk Manager (DRM) award. This award was presented on September 12, 2008, at URMIA’s 39th Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The recipients of the 2008 DRM Award are Mike Bale, Director of Risk Management at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, and Steve Holland, Director of Risk Management & Safety at University of Arizona in Tucson.
Mike Bale is Director of Risk Management at Oklahoma State University. He holds the ARM certificate from the Insurance Institutes of America and the designation of Certified Risk Manager (CRM). Soon after Mike became the Director of Risk Management, he also took responsibility for Environmental Health & Safety and, later, Emergency Management. He is responsible for University Transportation Services, Recreational Lake Operations, and Property Management. In 2006, he was awarded with the OSU President’s Service Award.
Mike’s contributions to the profession include:
- Serving as Parliamentarian of URMIA in 2003 and Director from 2004 to 2007.
- Serving as Chair of URMIA’s strategic planning team.
- Providing leadership on his campus, including the development of the university’s travel policy and the design of a program for funding large deductibles for the university’s property insurance program.
- Coordinating federal grant applications both on- and off-campus for emergency planning and risk management training.
Steve Holland is Director of Risk Management & Safety at the University of Arizona. Steve holds both the ARM certificate from the Insurance Institutes of America and the designation of CRM. Steve’s risk management and loss protection program has resulted in fewer losses and lower insurance costs. In fact, a recent benchmarking survey found that Steve’s department performs its duties more cost effectively than 75% of 50 comparable institutions with 1/3 fewer staff than those institutions.
Steve has also contributed to the professionalization of risk management through the following:
- Serving as Chair of the URMIA Constitution & Bylaws Committee from 1998 to 1999, as Director from 2000 to 2001, and as URMIA President from 2003 to 2004. As President, Steve guided the organization through the process of incorporation and updating the bylaws.
- Providing expertise to URMIA currently as a conference program developer, a member of the InterAssociation Alliance Committee, and by hosting one of URMIA’s regional conferences in 2007.
- Providing instruction for the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research’s (NAIER) CRM designation and serving on the Board of Directors for NAIER’s Research Academy.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA 2008 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Bloomington, IN, USA, August 26, 2008 - Four outstanding members of the University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA) have been selected as recipients of the organization’s 2008 Scholarships. The winners were chosen by the URMIA Membership Committee and will be attending the Association’s 2008 Annual Conference in Washington, DC, September 10-14.
URMIA’s mission is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. The scholarship award program provides educational opportunities for higher education risk management professionals who would otherwise not be able to attend an URMIA Annual Conference.
The Membership Committee wishes to thank all of the highly-qualified individuals who submitted applications. Please help us congratulate:
Regina Campo
Co-Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
Sharon Caven
Risk Management/Fiscal Officer
Montana State University-Northern
Havre, MT
Anthony Gizzi
Controller
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
Ruth Rauluk
Assistant Vice President, Business Services
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE
COMES TO WASHINGTON, DC, IN SEPTEMBER
Bloomington, IN, USA, August 26, 2008 – The University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA)’s 39th Annual Conference will take place in Washington, DC, from September 10-14, 2008. The conference theme, Impact 2008: One Voice, One Vision, reflects the overarching goal of the conference: to bring higher education risk managers and insurance companies together from across the country and world to share knowledge and experience, attend sessions, and network.
URMIA’s mission is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. The annual conference includes three main educational tracks that will help meet URMIA’s mission: Red Hot Issues, which details some of the latest hot topics in risk management; White House Foundations, which provides detail about regulations and builds foundational knowledge into new areas; and Code Blue, which focuses on emergencies and other outstanding events that can happen to risk managers in higher education.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
Bloomington, IN, USA April 22, 2008 - University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) is proud to announce the first recipients of its International Fellowship Program. The four fellows are: Paul Clancy, Boston University, Christine Eick, Auburn University, Mike Gansor, West Virginia University, and Joe Risser, California Polytechnic State University.
The purpose of the educational program is to focus on international markets and their impact on our risk management programs. The program will offer an intensive one week global forum which will provide a unique educational opportunity for these experienced risk managers who are long term URMIA members. Clancy, Eick, Gansor and Risser will work with URMIA affiliates and international members in London.
The fellows will provide a report to the board and will publish a white paper for the membership detailing new ideas and perspectives on international risk management acquired as a result of the fellowship experience. Among other things, the white paper will focus on how the international market affects the total cost of risk and how it impacts US insurance and risk management programs as well as international risk management challenges faced by URMIA member institutions. The fellows will also be presenting a session at the annual conference in Washington DC.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA 2007 DISTINGUISHED RISK MANAGER
Bloomington, IN, USA, October 9, 2007 – University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, is proud to announce the induction of one trailblazing professional as its latest Distinguished Risk Manager (DRM). This award was given on September 17, 2007 at the Westin Tabor Center in Denver, during an honorary awards luncheon at the 38th Annual URMIA Conference.
The 2007 DRM recipient is Allen J. Bova, Director of Risk Management and Insurance at Cornell University. Allen holds a BA in Economics and an MBA with a finance concentration. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Business Honor Society and holds the ARM certificate from the Insurance Institutes of America. Early in his career, Allen was a successful management consultant and taught college-level money management courses and held the Series 7 license.
His contributions to the profession are many and include:
- Serving as URMIA President and as Board Secretary and Parliamentarian.
- Speaking at numerous national meetings including Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS), National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and URMIA.
- Serving as President for the Upstate New York RIMS Chapter.
- Writing for URMIA publications and Risk Management, the RIMS publication.
- Appearing on PBS’s News Hour with Jim Lehrer shortly after the Virginia Tech shooting.
- Being quoted in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Christian Science Monitor and the Yale Alumni magazine.
- Being a guest lecturer at his institution’s Law School.
Allen has received two business improvement awards from NACUBO related to risk management and United Educators awarded him a $5,000 check in support of development of an automated property use system.
The officers of his institution’s student assembly passed a special resolution to honor him including this quote,
“Whereas (he) ensures the general student welfare by frequently responding negatively to event requests in a thoughtful and caring manner, his concern for the welfare of the student body exceeds even that which the students themselves have for themselves.”
URMIA developed the distinction of DRM in 1989 to recognize the accomplishments of their peers. The awards luncheon was held at the 38th URMIA Annual Conference with over 500 risk management professionals in attendance.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA 2007 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Bloomington, IN, USA, Oct. 9, 2007 - Three outstanding members have been selected as recipients of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) 2007 Scholarships. The winners were chosen by the URMIA Membership Committee and attended the Association’s 2007 Annual Conference in Denver, September 15-19. The membership committee wishes to thank everyone who submitted an application. The process for selecting the winners was quite difficult due to many deserving applicants.
The three recipients were:
Kristee L Becker
Director, Risk & Property Management
St. Norbert College
100 Grant Street
De Pere, WI 54115
Beverly A. Simpson
Risk Management Specialist
Juniata College
The Stone House
1700 Moore Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Dr. Betsy Summerfield
Human Resources and Risk Manager
Southwest Virginia Community College
POB SVCC
Richlands, VA 24641
The mission of URMIA is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. The scholarship award program is designed to provide educational opportunities for higher education Risk Management professionals who would otherwise not be able to attend an URMIA National Conference.
URMIA President Ellen Shew Holland offered congratulations to the winners, saying that URMIA conference attendance is an excellent way to gain knowledge about our profession and network with peers. The scholarship is a great way for URMIA to give back to the membership.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA 2007 INNOVATIVE RISK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AWARD
Bloomington, IN, USA, October 9, 2007 – University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, is proud to announce the first recipient of the Innovative Risk Management Solutions Award. One inventive professional was honored on September 17, 2007 at the Westin Tabor Center in Denver, during an honorary awards luncheon at the 38th Annual URMIA Conference.
The 2007 Innovative Risk Management Solutions Award winner was Ruth A. Unks, Risk Manager of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) in Tempe, Arizona. The project that Ruth submitted was:
Maricopa Integrated Risk Assessment (MIRA)
The Maricopa Integrated Risk Assessment (MIRA) is a project that embraces a wider view of risk called Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). ERM enables employees to collaboratively identify, assess and manage future risks and opportunities. In March 2000, the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) with support from the Chancellor and the Chancellor's Executive Council (CEC) officially approved MIRA. In October 2003, Dr. Rufus Glasper, MCCCD Chancellor, assigned responsibility for MIRA to the MCCCD Risk Manager, Ruth Unks, and asked that she develop and initiate a multi-year MIRA implementation plan.
Dr. Glasper established the following goals for MIRA:
- Increased overall effectiveness and accountability.
- Sound business process; greater assurance of business continuity.
- Clear demonstrated compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.
- Enhanced employee empowerment and pride.
- Reinforcement of the strong cultural identity.
- Enhanced competitive advantage.
MIRA has and will continue to build risk management into the fabric of MCCCD. For further information, please visit www.maricopa.edu/mira.
URMIA developed the Innovative Risk Management Solutions Award to identify and recognize new and creative risk management efforts implemented by our members who address specific exposures or risk management topics in their college or university, to encourage members to share their successful ideas or projects as a potential resource for others, and to facilitate sharing of this information. Last, the award was developed to promote and recognize innovative thinking and problem solving that benefits higher education risk management.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA INSTALLS NEW PRESIDENT AND OFFICERS FOR 2007-2008
Bloomington, IN, USA, October 8, 2007 - Ellen M. Shew Holland, the Director of Risk Management at the University of Denver, is the new President of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association, (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education. Holland took office at the close of the 38th Annual Conference in Denver on September 19th. At the conference, representatives of hundreds of higher education institutions met to explore and discuss risk management strategies that can best address their organizations’ needs in mitigating risks that may have impact on life safety, financial, property and reputational risks.
URMIA is the only international association dedicated to serving the needs of higher education risk management professionals, representing some 1300 individuals at 500 institutions. In leading URMIA for 2007-2008, Holland is joined by officers; Vincent E. Morris, Wheaton College, President-Elect; Anita Ingram, Southern Methodist University, Secretary; Margaret Tungseth, Concordia College, Treasurer and Gary W. Langsdale, Pennsylvania State University, Parliamentarian.
Newly elected Board Members include: Julie C. Baecker, University of Alaska; Marjorie F.B. Lemmon, Yale University and David Pajak, Syracuse University.
Other members of the Board of Directors include: Mary Breighner, FM Global; Steve Bryant, Texas Tech University System; Jill Laster, Texas Christian University; Donna Pearcy, The University of Iowa; Paul Pousson, University of Texas System; Larry Stephens, Indiana University; Mary Dewey, University of Vermont and Allen J. Bova, Cornell University.
Holland, a member of URMIA since 1992, has served on a number of committees for the organization, and is a frequent speaker on Risk Management topics. She is a graduate of Purdue University in Agricultural Economics and started her career in risk management at Georgetown University in 1991.
“As our higher ed institutions continue to grow globally and change at a faster pace, it is our responsibility as risk managers to collaborate with our institutional leaders to strategically manage our risks, to mitigate the known hazards, and prepare for those that are unknown on a global basis. As President, I hope to highlight the need to continue to improve our skills through emphasis on enterprise risk management and international impacts on our markets. “
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
URMIA 2007 EMERITUS MEMBERS ANNOUNCED
Bloomington, IN, USA, June 27, 2007 – University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), the expert resource for risk management in higher education, is pleased to announce the recognition of Patricia (Fowler) Payton and William Payton as members emeriti .
Before she retired, Patricia was the Director of Risk Management and Insurance at Michigan State University. She served on the URMIA board from 2000-2006 and she is past president of the Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management. Her membership activities have included work with the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, the United Educators’ Risk Management Advisory Committee and the CPCU Society. Patricia collaborated on an issues paper for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm by authoring an article entitled "Crisis in Medical Liability Insurance." Patricia also participated in a roundtable discussion with risk managers regarding high-deductible health plans and the implications of those plans for higher education's risk exposure. The discussion was published in "Spectrum," a publication of The Chickering Group. Patricia had served over thirty years in risk management with thirteen of those being in higher education. Her accomplishments also include being a presenter, moderator, committee member, and author for ASHRM, PRIMA, URMIA and M.U.S.I.C. She is a registered nurse and holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts degree in nursing, and a Master's degree in Public Administration. She is a MENSA Member, a professional certified mediator, and holds the ARM and CPCU designations.
Before he retired, William Payton was the Director of Risk and Insurance Management at the University of Missouri. Bill served URMIA in a variety of leadership roles including president, chair of the St. Louis annual conference committee, and chair of the Professional Development Committee. He led the board to open the URMIA home office at Indiana University. Together with Mary Dewey of the University of Vermont and Larry Stephens of Indiana University, they hired URMIA’s first full-time employee. Bill was also a leader in Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) for many years and his efforts in MHEC have been recognized as outstanding in bringing new availability of affordable coverage to many institutions. He co-authored a book on library risk management.
URMIA honors those, at the time of their retirement, who have played a significant role in the organization and in higher education risk management. For this reason, URMIA established the emeritus status.
Guidelines for selection are:
- Candidate must have provided exemplary service to URMIA. This service may be demonstrated by service as a director or officer of URMIA or receipt of the Distinguished Risk Manager Award.
- Candidate must have contributed significantly to higher education risk management by specific contributions to the understanding and practice of risk management in the judgment of his or her peers.
- Candidate may no longer be employed in the field of risk management as a practitioner, consultant, service provider, or otherwise not be in the field of higher education.
- Candidate must receive the nomination of at least three URMIA members.
About URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents almost 1400 individuals at over 500 institutions of higher education and over 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest US institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University. For more information, visit www.urmia.org or call 812-855-6683.
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