Member Update From Bryan Elie

April 2025

On April 17, the Supreme Court issued a ruling involving United Educators member Cornell University. The court reversed the appellate court and remanded the Cunningham v. Cornell case back to the trial court.

The Court’s ruling unfortunately increases the risk of litigation against our members at a time when they already face considerable challenges. Importantly, the Court acknowledged potential consequences of its decision and provided guidance on procedural rules available to trial courts to minimize them. We will continue to defend Cornell in the case and consider ways to help our members navigate the increased risk created by this decision so that they do not need to divert resources from their essential teaching and research missions to defend meritless lawsuits.

The case centers on how colleges and universities manage their 403(b) retirement plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). You can read the decision here.

We thank Cornell, the appellate team and the more than 20 organizations filing amicus briefs including the American Council on Education, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and AT&T.

This is the sixth time UE has supported a member all the way to the highest court of our country. I want to assure you that we stand by our commitment to defend our members when matters of principle arise.

We will review the ruling and consider ways to help our members navigate related liability concerns.

Ellie Kennedy
Vice President of Resolutions Management and General Counsel

November 2024

Our members, brokers and partners are crucial in shaping the resources we offer on real-world risks education faces. Two recent events we hosted in Bethesda, Md., highlight how our shared insights help United Educators’ service to education.

At the Counsel Advisory Conference (CAC) on Oct. 10-11, general counsel from member schools and defense counsel discussed insurance and education trends. Key topics included legal issues, risk management and challenges in the insurance market.

One session examined the ever-changing playbook of college athletics — a complex and evolving area of law in higher education. A presentation on the Reptile Theory gave attendees practical insights on how to combat this litigation strategy that is driving up the cost of claims.

From Nov. 14-15, campus risk managers and partners joined us for the Risk Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) meeting. They shared valuable feedback from K-12 and higher ed campuses. We had a timely discussion of the national education context amid the upcoming government transition.

Sessions also covered student mental health, campus unrest and strategies for addressing sexual misconduct at a time of increasing litigation and complexity.

We appreciate everyone who contributed to these discussions and all our partners who support the vital work of education. Learn more about our Market Insights.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.

Ellie Kennedy
Vice President of Resolutions Management and General Counsel

September 2024

Today marks a year since I first walked through the doors at United Educators.  

Hearing from our members and brokers has been a powerful reminder of our mission’s importance. And today’s troubling risk landscape for education highlights the importance of our collaboration with you. 

While you are wrestling with an intense pace of change for education, including economic and societal pressures, K-12 schools and colleges are also feeling the impact of the increasing severity of claims in insurance premiums. That is true for all insurance, not just the liability component.  

The ads for plaintiffs’ attorneys peppering the highways I see while traveling to visit our member campuses reflect a fragment of the big investments in litigation that contribute to the rising cost of claims. In fact, for 2023 that amounted to an estimated $1.2 billion on TV ads and $13 billion in third-party litigation financing.  

Those external factors will not diminish our commitment to supporting education. Education is all we do. One of the strengths of our captive is the breadth of our membership. From large state university systems to small boarding and charter schools, to rural, suburban and urban locales, to public, private and independent structures, our members serve diverse communities. 

At the same time, our focus on education gives us unique insights to help you with risk management and risk transfer. Our expertise, built over more than 35 years, is unmatched.  

We look forward to working with you and exploring whether there are new ways we can help you better address your evolving risk transfer and coverage needs. Send your ideas and questions via email so we can connect you with the right person here at UE.  

Thank you for your trust and partnership. It is our privilege to serve you.  

Best,

Rick
Richard Mills
President and CEO

August 2024

This is a busy time of year for education leaders. It is also a time of concentrated risks. To help you keep your campus safe, we’ve assembled risk management resources on key topics.

Here are links for you along with other news of interest:

• Timely risk management offerings to support your return to campus:
  • Campus Demonstrations and Conflicts Resource Collection [NEW]
  • Student Travel Resource Collection [UPDATED]
  • Title IX and VAWA-Campus SaVE Act Resource Collection [UPDATED]
  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Resource Collection
• UE earned an A (Excellent) financial strength rating for the 26th consecutive year from AM Best.
• Our Top Risks Survey is live. Click here to participate so we can learn your view of your campus community’s top concerns.

Are you attending the URMIA Annual Conference in New Orleans next month? I hope you’ll join me and Bryan Elie, UE’s Vice President of Underwriting and Product Development, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 8 a.m. CDT for a discussion of Headline Risks and How They Impact the Various Organizations in the Higher Education Space. Let us know. We’d love to connect with you in person.

As always, we’re grateful to have you as a partner and welcome your input on ways we can serve your needs.

Best wishes for a safe and successful semester,

Sarah
Vice President of Risk Management

May 2024

We value your partnership, especially during a challenging time for education.

We know you have questions about insurance premiums and how United Educators (UE), as a member-owned captive, is navigating the liability insurance market. 

Watch this seven-minute video with answers to the most frequently asked questions we get from you, our members.

Here’s a document with additional information About Your Renewal and Premium. [Log in with your My UE account to access the PDF. Contact UE Support if you need help logging in.] 

You own this company, and we’re eager to help you solve your liability concerns.   

We hope you’ll contact us by email or phone, if not in person, to share your own insights.  

Best,

Rick
Richard Mills
President and CEO