Beyond the Basics of Health, Safety, Security & Risk Management
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Plenary Speaker: Michael Dennis O’Neill
Michael O’Neill is a recognized leader in international safety and security risk management having begun his professional career in 1995. He is a highly respected global thought leader and strategist in the development and professionalization of international NGO safety and security risk management.
Michael is the vice-chair of the International NGO Safety and Security Association (INSSA). Michael served as the Director of Global Safety and Security and as a Senior Adviser at Save the Children from 2002 – 2017. Prior to taking up these positions with Save the Children, Michael served as the Coordinator of Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security at the Peace Corps (1995-2002). In these positions, Michael has been a leader in establishing and institutionalizing effective safety and security risk management systems; formulating policies, standards and procedures in risk management, safety and security, and crisis management; conducting field security assessments; developing and delivering a variety of safety and security-related training courses; and coordinating agency support of staff in their efforts to reduce safety and security risks and mitigate crises. Michael served for six years as the chair of the InterAction Security Advisory Group (SAG) and several years as the international NGO representative on the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). He has presented lectures and conducted seminars at leading US universities and international forums, and has contributed to many studies and publications focusing on NGO safety and security risk management. In 2011, Michael led the OFDA-funded Collaborative Learning Approach to NGO Security Management research project exploring the efficacy and application of the Acceptance approach to security management. Michael has developed several on-line training modules for NGO staff and international travelers. Michael is the 2009 recipient of the InterAction Security Advisory Group Distinguished Achievement Award. Michael is the President and CEO of O’Neill Paragon Solutions, LLC providing full crisis management, risk management and duty of care support to NGOs and private sector clients.
“Duty Bound”
University-sponsored education abroad programs take many forms. Whereas education abroad programs entail unique risks for faculty, employees and students, the University has a moral, ethical, and legal responsibility to understand the foreseeable risks and to put in place reasonable measures to mitigate these risks. This session explores pragmatic and effective measures that organizations can put in place to meet their duty of care responsibilities by integrating risk management principles into education abroad program design and delivery; by empowering faculty and students to take responsible decisions through a better understanding of the complex environments in which they live, work, and study; and, by investing sufficient resources to develop innovative tools and systems that enable organizations to manage risks in support of rewarding and meaningful education abroad experiences.
Concurrent Sessions | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Better Living through Data: Incident Data Findings and Usages in Enhancing Student Safety
Bill Bull (CIEE); Natalie A. Mello (The Forum on Education Abroad); Colin McElroy (CIEE)
Peace Corps, CIEE and the Critical Incident Database have been collecting incident data for years on events that have impacted participants abroad. Collectively these data sets are in the thousands and paint a picture of what is being reported. This session will discuss the findings of the three organizations and how each group is applying the information gleaned to improve safety and enhance mitigations.
Cuba is Now a Level 3 – Now What? Adapting Travel Policies to the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory System
Patrick Morgan (University of Michigan); Alan Ryon (University of Rochester); Kalpen Trivedi (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Since the U.S. Department of State updated their travel advisory designations, what travel policy changes has your institution made – if any? Join panelists who have revised their Travel Warning-based travel policies. The panelists will share their policies, detail travel approval processes, describe challenges and pitfalls of their new systems, and lead a facilitated discussion with participants.
Managing Complex Pre-Existing Conditions Abroad
Stephanie Rock (IES Abroad); Matthew Rader (IES Abroad); Emily Davis (Cultural Insurance Services International [CISI])
How much responsibility can study abroad programs take to assist students with pre-existing health issues abroad? Students with complex physical and mental conditions studying abroad are increasing. These health conditions may or may not be disclosed in advance of departure. The session will present best practices for assisting students with pre-existing conditions.
Concurrent Sessions | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Engaging in Difficult Conversations with Faculty Leaders
Jared Bickenbach (Baylor University); David DiBiasio (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)
This session will explore the diverse safety and security expectations placed on faculty leaders. This session will elicit feedback from participants to explore useful ways to inform and educate faculty leaders about the ever-changing safety and security expectations associated with faculty-led education.
High Risk Environments: How Smaller-Sized Institutions Can Make Difficult Decisions About Travel
Ryan DeStefano (On Call International); Nicholas D’Intino (On Call International); Patricia Martin (Swarthmore College); Rochelle Keesler (Lafayette College)
This session will cover best practices and advice for smaller institutions facing difficult decisions regarding travel to volatile areas. Topics include: Should travel to high-risk environments be restricted? How should institutions handle travel to medium-risk destinations? How can institutions strike a balance between academic freedom and responsible caution?
If You Can’t Beat ’em, Join ’em: Helping Student Organizations with International Travel
Beth Osterlund (Northwestern University); Lotte Buiting (Drexel University); Natasha Soulé (The Pennsylvania State University)
Registered Student Organizations contribute to an enriching and vibrant campus life. Many of these student-run organizations are traveling internationally on breaks and over the summer. What can we do to help these often-inexperienced travelers prepare for their experiences abroad? Topics covered in this session include how to find out about these trips and help students evaluate oversees partners.
Concurrent Sessions | 1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Effectively Collaborating with Partners on Title IX Incident Response and Reporting
Lezlie McCabe (Temple University); Sara Sequin (Temple University); Cameron Etezady (Temple University); Maureen Gordon (Arcadia University)
This session will address best practices in collaborating with partners within and outside the institution during incident response, with a particular focus on Title IX incidents. We will examine the importance of developing a well-coordinated plan for response and reporting that defines each organization’s role and meets legal requirements, while prioritizing student wellness.
New Developments with the Critical Incident Database
Natalie A. Mello (The Forum on Education Abroad)
Learn about the new and improved Critical Incident Database as developed by The Forum. The CID is now updated to include notations for Clery, Title IX and VAWA incidents and incorporates the suggestions made by former users. After a demonstration, the floor will open to a discussion about how to best use the CID and how the field can benefit from the data collected.
Study Abroad: An Interactive Code Red Exercise
Robert Quigley, MD (International SOS); Lisa Zimmaro (Temple University); Kathryn Rene (Lehigh University)
Study abroad programs can pose particular considerations for a diverse student and faculty body, including minorities, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members and those with mental health challenges. Split into groups, teams will be asked tough questions around two crises scenarios involving university students. Each team will be given different roles and functions.
Concurrent Sessions | 3:30 – 5 p.m.
A Best-Case Worst-Case Scenario: Partnering with Study Abroad Providers, Insurance Companies and Campus Offices During Crisis
Rachel Helwig (BCA Study Abroad); Shannon McNamara (Cultural Insurance Services International [CISI]); Megan Bell (Elizabethtown College)
What really happens when bad things happen abroad? How do you respond to a safety event and ensure student safety, satisfy degree requirements and continue global learning (in a sensitive and time-sensitive manner)? We will examine a case study from Xalapa, Mexico from the prospective of a study abroad provider (BCA), health insurance company (CISI) and a U.S. college (Elizabethtown College).
Innovative Solutions for Preventative and Ongoing Mental Health Support in Education Abroad
Irina Capaldi (Morneau Shepell); Chris Daniel (Michigan State University); Julie Hayes (Morneau Shepell)
The session will review the current literature on the prevalence of mental health among students studying abroad and discuss the challenges faced by academic institutions in providing mental health support for these students. Higher education professionals will share specific details surrounding their campus needs, resources they use, and outcomes to date using technology based solutions.
Thinking the Unthinkable
Michael O’Neill (O’Neill Paragon Solutions, LLC)
An exploration and discussion of the reasonable measures that university programs can institute to mitigate foreseeable risks in an education abroad context. Small groups will reflect on a scenario derived from actual events and discuss university readiness, response, and recovery from a hypothetical critical incident.
2018 Standards Institute Planning Committee
Chris Daniel, Michigan State University (co-chair)
Maureen Gordon, Arcadia University (co-chair)
Sabuur Abdul-Kareem, Delaware County Community College
Bill Bull, CIEE
Liz Campanella, Villanova University
Jane Flaherty, Texas A&M University
Todd Homes, MIT
Eryn Kudzinski, IFSA Butler
Ron Machoian, University of Wisconsin
Sara Sequin, Temple University
Nick Vazquez, The College of William & Mary
Lisa Zimmaro, Temple University
