About the Office of Risk Management

Because no one can predict the future, there is always uncertainty in the outcomes of every decision, process and activity the university is involved in. This uncertainty is the definition of risk. The Office of Risk Management is tasked with helping the university manage its risks at the corporate, divisional and departmental levels. While this office is heavily involved, it is always in cooperation with individuals who ultimately own the risks.

Biola’s Office of Risk Management approaches risk by embracing the decision-make process promoted within the risk management discipline. Loss exposures are identified and analyzed; techniques that may reduce the frequency and/or severity of loss exposures are examined, selected and implemented; and results are monitored. Please note that insurance is a risk management technique that may only reduce the severity of a loss. Insurance, as important as it is, is not the same as risk management and does not solve every problem.

Departments may contact the Office of Risk Management to assess their risk, implement loss control protocols or inquire about insurance. Departments should contact the Office of Risk Management during the following:

• The planning stages of any high risk or new activities
• The expansion, creation or procurement of facilities
• The acquisition, sale or movement of property
• The opening, closing or alteration of programs or activities

Areas of Concern

The Office of Risk Management creates policies and programs to prevent, minimize and/or control losses. Its goal is to help the university steward its resources and ensure the continuation of its operations. The Office of Risk Management is concerned with the following primary areas of loss exposure:

Liability

This relates to Biola's actual or alleged responsibility for a third party's injury or damage to property. Liability may relate to the operation of a premises or an automobile, but can also relate to professional services and cyber activity.

Property

Biola can sustain loss through the property it owns through natural and human elements.

Personnel

This usually relates to employee injuries, but in Biola's context could also include students, volunteers and guests.

Net Income

This refers to financial losses related to liability, property and personnel loss exposures.

The Office of Risk Management is responsible for the following:

• Design, implementation and maintenance of Biola University's risk management program
• Integration of the discipline of risk management into Biola University's infrastructure where appropriate
• Management of Biola University's insurance program
• Handling incidents and claims
• Providing Biola University's constituents with risk management related counsel and technical advice
• Creating, maintaining and driving partnerships with departments and committees for the purpose of addressing various types of risk
• Representing the University at relevant community and/or business meetings
• Reviewing and approving Biola constituent activity as appropriate
• Coordinating and conducting risk management training for Biola constituents as needed
• Reviewing contracts
• Drafting and implementing policy as it relates to risk management and insurance

• Risk Management Counseling — Providing risk management advice to Biola constituents.
• Waiver / Release Forms — Developing and distributing forms that help Biola manage its liability.
• Certificates of Insurance — Responding to requests for certificates of insurance required to use another party's property or location, or as contractually required, and distributing them upon approval.
• Claims Management — Responding to incidents and formal claims and handling these matters internally or through the appropriate insurance carrier.
• Contract Review — The Office of Risk Management is a member of the Contract Management Team and participates in the review, modification and approval of the University's contracts.
• Insurance Allocation — Overseeing the charging of insurance to Biola's departments and other constituents.
• Travel Review — Reviewing and approving employee travel to moderate to high risk locations and all domestic and international student travel. Some travel is vetted and approved in partnership with other departments.
• Contractors & 3rd Parties — Reviewing the activities of contractors and third parties to determine insurance requirements and/or other risk transfer requirements.
• Safety — Working with Occupational Safety to manage safety issues that may pose a risk to Biola's employees and other constituents.
• Driver Clearance — Managing the clearance process for Biola constituents to become approved drivers.
• Special Activities & Events — Reviewing and giving approval for special activities and events.
• International Crisis Management — The Office of Risk Management heads the International Crisis Management Team and manages incidents that occur overseas where Biola's travelers require special assistance.