Legal Liability of Student Organizations

The liability that you (as an organization and as an individual) assume varies from situation to situation. In every day occurrences, the liability is most likely extremely low (i.e., meetings, office hours, etc.). However, in special circumstances, liability rises. There are some key factors that determine the extent of liability protection for your group.

Campus Mission

Does the program, event, activity fall within the mission of the University? See the University of Wisconsin Mission Statement in the Getting Started Section of this manual.

Benefit and Control

• Is the organization officially recognized by the University? (A completed application should be on file with the Leadership Center and needs to be completed each year.)
• Is the organization eligible for segregated university fees (SUFAC)? This does not mean that your group has to have received SUF funds, merely that your group falls under the eligibility requirements.
• Does the program, event, or activity fall within the mission of the student organization? The mission statement should be one of the first statements in the organization's constitution.
• Does the group have a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty or staff member serving as advisor?
• Does the program, event, or activity conform to University, municipal, state and federal laws? Violation of any laws makes yourself, the group, the University, and everyone else involved liable should anything occur. This includes alcohol, drugs and hazing. These should not be a part of any activity!

If you can answer yes to the above items, than your group activity most likely involves a low level of risk and liability. Most likely, special insurance is not required. Call the Office of Risk Management to ensure that this is the case.