Dive Brief:
- A new report from the University Risk Management and Insurance Association finds survey respondents concerned about the liability risk of campus fraternities.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education reports two-thirds of the 60 respondents count fraternity activities among the highest risks on campus, including for the institution’s reputation.
- Despite that, the survey found that most respondents thought fraternities provided benefits to alumni relations and campus culture, though 20% said fraternities offered no benefits, according to the article.
Dive Insight:
Fraternities have had an especially rough couple of years when it comes to image control. An increasing focus on preventing sexual assault on campuses has come down on fraternities, which often host the alcohol-fueled parties that cause some of these problems. The Oklahoma University chapter of SAE made national headlines in March when a video of its members singing a racist chant went viral. Not surprisingly, the URMIA study found every single responding institution identifying at least one risk management strategy with frats, including requiring hazing and sexual assault prevention trainings and their own insurance.