Office of Student Life
Student Activities

Advisor Risk Management

Managing and Reducing Risk

Student organization advisors assume some level of risk when agreeing to be the advisor. However, there are practices that can significantly reduce your risk. This page will review important information about how you can mitigate and reduce your risk. 

Additional guidance on the advisor role and responsibilities will be provided through bi-annual training. While training is only required bi-annually, the best way to stay on top of new policies and updates is to attend trainingly more frequently. 

If you have specific risk concerns, you are encouraged to book a coaching appointment with our professional staff. To request a different time, contact the Assistant Director of Student Organizations, Erica McGwire. 

Indemnification Letter

An indemnification letter template is available for any student organization advisor to officially recognize their role as advisor. This letter ensures your role as an advisor is considered part of your official job duties, which allows the univeristy to provide you better liability protection. The letter should be signed by the advisor's supervisor, printed on university letterhead and uploaded to the Student Organization Management System under "advisor approvals." A copy of the letter should also be kept for your personal records. Download the Indemnification Letter Template (.docx) here.

We strongly encourage all student organization advisors to work with their supervisors or department chairs to complete the indemnification letter. 

Risk Management Recommendations

Hazing Prevention and Risk Reduction

As a student organization advisor, you play a critical role in shaping a safe, welcoming, and accountable student experience at Ohio State. Regardless of the type of student organization you advise, your guidance helps students make informed decisions, uphold community standards, and reduce risk. This page is here to support you in that role - especially when it comes to hazing prevention and risk reduction. 

What is Risk Reduction?

Risk Reduction refers to proactive steps that minimize potential harm to individuals, organizations, and the university. Advisors are in a unique position to:

  • Identify potential areas of concern early
  • Encourage responsible planning and decision-making
  • Reinforce expectations around safety
  • Serve as a bridge between students and campus resources

Types of Risk in Student Organizations

Understanding the various forms of risk can help support your organization. As an advisor, you're in a key position to help students recognize and reduce the following risks:

  1. Physical Risk - activities that may cause bodily harm or injury to participants
    • ex: Sporting events, physical challenges, travel, unsafe facilities, substance-related incidents
  2. Emotional and Psychological Risk - situations that can lead to mental or emotional distress
    • ex: Hazing, peer pressure, exclusion, public humiliation
  3. Reputational Risk - actions that can harm the image of the organization
    • ex: Offensive social media posts, inappropriate behavior at events
  4. Financial Risk - poor financial mismanagement of unapproved spending that could impact an organization's sustainability
    • ex: budget misuse, lack of transparency, fundraising mishandling
  5. Operational/Organizational Risk - risk related to leadership transitions, poor planning, or communication breakdowns
    • ex: unclear roles, misinformation, failure to follow university procedures

Advisor Risk Reduction Checklist

Use this quick guide to help reduce risk and reinforce student safety:

  • Review your organization's constitution and event plans
  • Encourage early planning
  • Check for any activities that could be high-risk or misunderstood
  • Familiarize yourself with reporting expectations
  • Maintain regular, open communication with your student leaders
  • Know when to escalate concerns to Student Activities or Risk Reduction personnel

Reporting Hazing

Under Collin's Law: Ohio's Anti-Hazing Act, faculty and staff - including student organization advisors, must report knowledge of a hazing incident to law enforcement and the university. Failure to report hazing can result in criminal charges under Ohio law, including misdemeanor penalties for non-reporting by mandated reporters such as faculty and staff advisors. 

  1. Local law enforcement
    • OSU Police Non-Emergency: 614-292-2121
    • Columbus Police Non-Emergency: 614-645-4545
  2. Ohio State's hazing reporting system: go.osu.edu/reporthazing

Collin's Law Anti-Hazing Training

All students must complete this educational program before participating in any Ohio State activity, sport, club or organization. If you serve as an advisor, coach, consultant, or volunteer to a student organization or student group, you must complete this educational program as directed by the university in accordance with Collin's Law. You can complete the educational program at go.osu.edu/collinslawtraining or search Collin's Law Training on BuckeyeLearn. 

Policies and Expectations

Contact

Need help navigating a concern, preparing a difficult conversation, or reporting a potential issue? We're here to support you.

  • Contact: Teri Cugliari, Associate Director of Risk and Emergency Management
  • Email: Cugliari.6@osu.edu 

Student Mediation Program 

Sometimes, you will be asked to mediate difficult conversations between your student organization's leaders and members. One avenue for resolving complicated conflicts is the Student Mediation Program. Student Conduct has partnered with the Moritz College of Law to offer free mediation services to all Ohio State students, as an avenue to resolve conflicts and disagreements. 

The advisor or student can request a free, confidential mediation here.