Higher Education

Program Designed to Prevent Violence and Address Title IX and VAWA Compliance

Bethesda, MD (May 18, 2015) — New training programs designed to help institutions develop a cross-disciplinary approach to prevent and respond to sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking are being offered by United Educators (UE), the nation’s leading provider of risk management solutions for higher education. Unique to this training is the emphasis on use of campus threat assessment teams to address these offenses. The “Title IX, VAWA, and Threat Assessment” trainings will be offered in four cities and feature an interactive format to help institutions comply with Title IX and VAWA training requirements.

“Keeping victims safe while preventing and responding to sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic violence requires a coordinated approach involving administrators representing multiple functions,” said Marisa Randazzo, PhD, Managing Partner, SIGMA Threat Management Associates and one of the two presenters.

As an international expert on threat assessment, targeted violence, and violence prevention, Dr. Randazzo will conduct the training with Jeffrey Nolan, a partner with Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C. Nolan’s firm represents institutions of higher education, advising them on issues and assisting with the development and implementation of policies and training programs.

“Risks are diffused and reports are investigated more effectively when threat assessment teams can work closely with Title IX coordinators, student affairs, human resources, campus safety, and legal affairs to evaluate any ongoing threats and implement safety plans where necessary,” said Randazzo.

Nolan said, “This will help satisfy Title IX coordinator training requirements provided in the April 24, 2015, ‘Dear Colleague’ letter as well as VAWA training requirements for officials who conduct disciplinary hearings. Participants will leave with actionable plans and a better understanding of the perspectives and responsibilities of other team members. The overall impact will be a safer campus environment.”

This unique approach will help administrators prevent and resolve incidents of sexual violence and assault on college campuses. “Administrators need multiple tools to assess and address the complex issues they face,” said Constance Neary, UE’s vice president for risk management. “Attending training as a multidisciplinary team enables administrators to be better equipped to prevent and resolve incidents of sexual violence.”

Training sessions are scheduled for Baltimore on June 18-19; Boston, July 28-29; Chicago, Oct. 8-9; and Atlanta, Nov. 3-4.

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United Educators (UE), a reciprocal risk retention group, is a licensed insurance company owned and governed by nearly 1,300 members representing thousands of schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States. Members range from small independent schools to multicampus public universities.

UE was created in 1987 on the recommendation of a national task force organized by the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Our mandate is to provide schools, colleges, and universities with a long-term, stable alternative to commercial liability insurance. EduRisk™ from United Educators provides members with risk management resources to help prevent incidents that put people and institutions at risk. And, when claims do occur, UE protects our schools, colleges, and universities with education-specific coverage and an experienced claims management team. This prevention and protection philosophy enables UE to reduce the overall cost of risk for our policyholders.

United Educators is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best and was named a Ward’s 50 company in 2013 and 2014.