Student activities
Field trip information
Field trips can be valuable learning experiences. However, they can also present certain risks and hazards. Faculty/staff members who are planning to conduct field trips should perform their own risk analysis and at the same time determine if the field trip lends itself toward achieving the learning objectives of the course. If the field trip isn't essential toward achieving the learning objectives of the course, then perhaps the field trip isn't necessary to undertake.
The following guidelines/considerations are recommended to supplement existing procedures established by an institution or department.
- Identify hazards and dangers specific to the trip that might impact the health and safety of participants.
- Identify special requirements for participation - level of fitness, special skills, etc.
- Ask participants about special needs that might need to be accommodated.
- Plan for emergencies by bringing a cell phone and first aid kit.
- Maintain a roster of participants and leave it with your institution or department.
- Determine transportation needs - such as what type of vehicle or other transportation might need to be arranged and who is authorized to drive. Note - only employees are authorized to drive university owned vehicles.
- Make sure all drivers have a valid driver's license.
- Determine route, schedule and assign drivers ahead of time.
- Take adequate breaks to ensure drivers are sufficiently rested.
- 15-passenger vans are not recommended for field trip use.
- In advance, make participants aware of identified hazards, dangers, special requirements, schedules, routes, lodging, rules of conduct, policies and emergency procedures.
- Obtain emergency contact information from each participant.
- Faculty, staff and students must comply with institution and university system policies while on the field trip.
- Employees are covered by workers' compensation and liability insurance while in the course and scope of their employment.
- Students are not covered by workers' compensation or liability insurance. (The University of Nevada, Reno has field trip insurance that provides limited coverage in the event of an injury.)
- It is recommended that students have medical insurance and that the coverage is verified.
- Immediately report accidents during a field trip to the BCN Risk Management Office at (775) 784-4394.
- Waivers specific to the activity should be signed by the student should be completed.
Student liability
Students are not included under NRS 41.0339 and NRS 41.035. Therefore, if a student causes an injury or damages the property of a fellow student or anyone else, he will not be defended or indemnified by the NSHE. The only exception is a student who is also formally designated as a volunteer with the proper Volunteer paperwork completed and on record at the Risk Management Office.
A student may also be an employee of the NSHE. As an employee, he will be defended and indemnified by the NSHE provided that he was acting within the course and scope of his employment at the time of the accident and his actions were not wanton and malicious.
Students, while working within the course and scope of their duties as members of the student government body, will be defended and indemnified by the NSHE.
Students who are injured by the negligent acts of the NSHE's employees or volunteers have the same rights as anyone else to bring an action against the NSHE.
- Student organizations, clubs and their members including those organizations sanctioned or recognized as on campus organizations are not persons or entities entitled to defense and indemnification under NRS Chapter 41. This includes organizations and clubs with faculty advisors. However, faculty advisors, if sued as a result of their activities with clubs and organizations will be defended and indemnified.
This insurance is available for events that will be held on or off campus. Insurance is provided through the Special Event Liability Group Insurance Trust, a fully insured Risk Purchasing Group. Coverage conditions and underwriting rules are solely that of the private insurance company that sponsors the program. Organizations are not required to use this insurance facility. They may arrange for and provide their own insurance coverage from any insurer that meets the university system's insurance and indemnification requirements. To obtain an application and quote go to:
