Student Event Risk Management Program (SERM)

On campuses across North America, the relationship between Student Affairs and Student Unions varies considerably. In addition, the level of risk management planning for student-run events also differs from institution to institution. Hence the ‘Student Event Risk Management’ program (SERM) is designed to be flexible, and the overall program can be adjusted and customized to meet specific institutional needs and situations.

The SERM program focuses on a process to manage the risks involved in Student Events.
Event Risk Assessment and Approval, and the critical role played by the
Primary Event Organizer (PEO) are key elements of this four-step process:

  • Club President and/or PEO identified for all Clubs
  • Club President and/or PEO attend Training Workshops
  • Event ‘Risk Assessment Form’ Completed for each event
  • Event Approved

The SERM program usually involves an on-site campus visitation, typically incorporating a series of Training Workshops:

  1. ‘Implementing an Event Risk Management Process’
    A ‘General Negligence & Risk Management Awareness’ seminar focusing on the risks and consequences involved in running student events. This is aimed at everyone (students, administrators, staff) involved in any aspect of event management.
  2. ‘Primary Event Organizer Process’ (PEO Process) Workshop.
    Aimed specifically at student leaders and PEO’s, this Workshop is designed to: 

    • Raise awareness levels on risk, negligence, accountability, and the importance of event planning
    • Introduce student leaders and PEO’s to the four-step risk management process
    • Introduce basic event planning skills.
  3. ‘Event Planning’ Workshop
    The objective of this Workshop is to provide event planners with the necessary planning skills and tools to organize and implement safe events.
    The Workshop is structured into 3 sections: 

    • Event Assessment & Approval
    • Event Planning
    • Event Planning Resources

A Workshop package includes samples of the critical ‘Pre-Event Planning’ and ‘Event-Day’ checklists essential for good planning – ensuring nothing gets missed.

Note: Two of these Workshops are available via ‘Webinar’:
The ‘PEO Process’ and ‘Event Planning’ training workshops are available through a ‘live’ or ‘pre-recorded’ ‘Webinar’ format. Benefits include (a) no need to train campus personnel on workshop content (b) no travel costs involved for Ian McGregor to deliver Workshops on-site.

These training Webinars are available to everyone (i.e. no site visit required).  For more information, contact McGregor & Associates.