Member Update

March 2026: New Tools and Insights to Support Risk Management

At UE, we help educational institutions navigate risk with practical tools, timely insights, and support grounded in the realities of education.

We are sharing several updates to help you strengthen risk management efforts, address emerging exposures, and stay informed about liability issues affecting education. 

Explore the Updates 

• Review nine new risk assessment tools covering areas such as athletics, student programs, and transportation. 
• Learn more about our Risk Management Premium Credit partners focused on student mental health, sexual misconduct prevention, and related campus risks. 
• Listen to a recent podcast episode on emerging issues affecting education. 
• Read the latest liability market insights to better understand current conditions. 
• Contact our Risk Management consultants for education-focused guidance at no additional cost via risk@ue.org. 

Why it Matters:

These resources are designed to help institutions anticipate risk, support education-specific practices, and make more informed decisions about risk management and coverage. 

We remain committed to providing proactive tools and timely insight to help institutions advance their missions.  

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sarah Braughler
Vice President of Risk Management and External Relations

November 2025: New Resources to Manage Emerging Risks

We continue expanding how we connect with members through campus visits, regional meetings, and national conferences, to listen, collaborate, and share insights to help protect your institution.

Why it Matters:
Liability claims are becoming more severe, influenced by factors such as third-party litigation financing, increasing distrust, and plaintiffs’ attorney advertising. A collaborative approach to resolving claims remains essential. Ernst & Young has outlined practical strategies to mitigate the impact of social inflation and manage claims costs effectively.

What’s New:
We are advancing our approach to risk transfer by exploring new products and higher limits. At our latest Risk Management Advisory Committee meeting, members discussed how AI and other digital tools present risks and opportunities.

Resources for You:
Explore these timely UE materials to support your work:

• Are You Prepared for “Smart” Glasses?
• Considering Staffing Reductions? Know Your WARN Act Obligations
• Safely Handle Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Join our Dec. 4 webinar on Behavioral Threat Assessment and Event Safety Planning. [Register today.]

Next Steps:
If you have not already, please complete our annual UE Experience survey. Your feedback directly shapes how we serve you and your institution.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sarah Braughler
Vice President of Risk Management

July 2025

Commencements may be behind us, but the challenges educational institutions face continue to grow.

We are here to help.

At United Educators (UE), our commitment to education is stronger than ever. Here’s how:

• Enhanced Pre-Claim Advice Credit
  This valuable benefit is designed to help institutions effectively manage incidents and reduce costs. [Read more.]
  
  
• Expert Claims Resolution 
  Early evaluation, clear communication and careful selection of defense counsel prepared to go to trial when needed are key to better outcomes.
  
  
• Fighting Predatory Litigation Funding
  Third-party litigation financing (TPLF) is driving up insurance costs. Some schools may be unknowingly investing in it.
  
  
• Learn more in a TPLF deep-dive Net Assets article from UE CFO Sean Barnes and an editorial in The Wall Street Journal calling out the tax breaks fueling this trend.

 Let’s keep the conversation going.

Catch up with me at a July 27 NACUBO panel in Washington, D.C., on “What keeps business officers up at night.” My co-presenters are Bill Guerrero of the University of Connecticut and Josh Moody of Inside Higher Ed. And join Sarah Braughler, UE’s Vice President of Risk Management who is leading an ERM Bootcamp the same day at NACUBO with UE Board Member Bronté Burleigh-Jones of American University, Keesha Trim of the University of Richmond and Michelle Smith of URMIA.

Your insights matter.

We value your partnership navigating today’s complex risk environment. We are always happy to hear from you about how we can help meet your risk transfer needs.

Best,

Rick Mills
President and CEO