Risk
Management

Office of Institutional Compliance
& Risk Management

Our office is responsible for administering the University’s institutional compliance and risk management  programs to include insurance, workers’ compensation case management; environmental health & safety; enterprise risk management; internal audit, international travel,  and emergency management. 
Home/ Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management

Our office is responsible for administering the University’s institutional compliance and risk management  programs to include insurance, workers’ compensation case management; environmental health & safety; enterprise risk management; internal audit, international travel,  and emergency management. 

Main Content

Incorporating Safety

Incorporating safety in our processes and activities is paramount to achieving an acceptable level of risk and advancing the University’s mission. Our goal is to proactively address issues that potentially threaten the environmental health and safety of our community and to implement policies and procedures to mitigate these risks.

Enterprise Risk Management is a coordinated approach to assessing and responding to all risks that affect the achievement of the University’s mission. Our goal is to develop a university-wide risk management culture that identifies and effectively manages risks associated with our activities.

Below you will find information concerning a wide range of topics.

  • Emergency Services
  • Reporting an Incident or Injury
  • Insurance & Workers’ Comp
  • Training
  • Policies & Forms

If you still cannot find the answer you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact Us

Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management
ACU Box 29120
Abilene, Texas 79699-9120

Phone: (325) 674-6142
Email: risk@acu.edu

Emergency Management Services

ACU, like any other organization, is potentially subject to man-made or natural incidents that could threaten our community, core academic mission, and physical environment. We take safety and security seriously and proactively address potential incidents as part of our overall efforts to advance the university’s mission. 

ACU Police

The ACU Police Department is here to serve the needs of our campus community 24/7, from bike and foot patrols to late-night safety escorts.

The department operates 24 hours a day with administrative offices open during normal business hours Monday through Friday.

ACU Police Department

ACU Alerts

ACU ALERT is an emergency notification system that gives Abilene Christian University the ability to send urgent and emergency information quickly-by email and text message. By enrolling in ACU ALERT, subscribers will be able to receive urgent information from university officials.

Sign up for ACU Alerts

Environmental Health & Safety

Incorporating safety in our daily processes and activities is paramount to achieving an acceptable level of risk and advancing the University’s mission. Our goal is to proactively address issues that potentially threaten the environmental health and safety of our community and to implement policies and procedures to mitigate these risks.

Accidents and Incidents

All accidents and incidents (regardless of severity) occurring in the workplace or during an ACU-sponsored event need to be reported promptly, not to exceed 48 hours. An Accident/Incident Report is available on the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management website. The form should be completed for all accidents/incidents regardless of whether anyone was injured.

General Procedures

  1. Call 9-1-1 for Fire Department or EMS assistance (if required) for the situation.
  2. If the accident involves a vehicle(s), notify ACU Police at 674-2911 immediately.
  3. Assess the scene to ensure it is safe, take reasonable actions to make it safe, and prevent others from approaching it is unsafe.
  4. Determine if anyone is injured, the extent of the injury(s), and request medical assistance for serious/life threatening injuries.
  5. Notify the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management as soon as possible at risk@acu.edu or 325-674-6142 so an investigation can be initiated.  If the accident/incident occurs outside normal business hours, notify ACU Police at 674-2911. 
  6. Do not remove any objects or clean the area until notified by ACU Police or the Office of Risk Management.
  7. Do not make any statements regarding ACU’s responsibility, fault, or willingness to pay for any damages or injuries as a result of the accident/incident.
  8. Attempt to obtain the names and contact information of witnesses to the accident/incident.

Employee Injury Procedures

  1. Employees are required to notify their supervisor of work-related injuries or illnesses and obtain appropriate treatment. 
  2. Treatment Options
  3. Refer to the Accidents and Injuries Policy to obtain additional guidance on procedures and contact the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management if you have any questions.

Employees are required to notify their supervisor of work-related injuries or illnesses regardless of where they occur and take all reasonable actions to prevent further injury.

If an employee is outside the local area, he/she should proceed to the nearest minor emergency clinic or emergency room, depending on the extent of the injury, and notify his/her supervisor after receiving treatment.

Supervisor Role

Supervisors should take the following actions for employees who are injured in the performance of their duties:

  1. If an injury requires medical treatment, refer the employee to Dr. J’s Express Care
  2. Call 911 for serious injuries to request assistance/transport to Hendrick Medical Center
  3. Report the injury/illness to the Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management

Email: risk@acu.edu
or
Phone: 325-674-6142.

Reporting a “Near Miss”

A near-miss is a potential hazard or incident in which no property was damaged and no personal injury was sustained, but where, given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury easily could have occurred. Near misses also may be referred to as close calls, near accidents, or injury-free events.

For the sake of a safe work environment, ACU asks that all employees report and correct any of these potential hazards immediately using the form at the button below.

However, if the accident or incident resulted in damages or injury please do not use this form. Instead, contact Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management via the email below, immediately.

Email:  risk@acu.edu

Report a Near Miss or Safety Concern

Insurance

The Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management is responsible for administering the university’s insurance and workers’ compensation programs.

Youth Camps Insurance Program

The URMIA Youth Camps Insurance Program provides excellent liability insurance for youth camps using ACU facilities. ACU receives an “additional insured” certificate naming it as an additional insured on the camp’s policy.

URMIA Youth Camps Insurance Program

Insurance Procedures

The university routinely engages in activities and enters into contracts with other parties that may create risk for ACU.  The nature of the activities must be evaluated to ensure that the parties to the contract adequately address the risk, obtain appropriate insurance, and provide the other party proof of insurance.  For more information regarding insurance requirements for contracts, see the University Contracting Procedures web page.

The recommended insurance provisions are prescribed in the Facilities Use Agreement and Services Contract and the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management will review any necessary certificates of insurance before execution of a contract. Email risk@acu.edu for assistance. 

If the other party does not have insurance for an event, you may want to refer them to the Tenant-User Liability Insurance Policy TULIP website which provides the required Liability insurance for users of university-owned facilities that do not otherwise carry that insurance.  Review the Insurance Procedures and Requirements to obtain additional information on TULIP.

If ACU is required to provide proof of insurance, the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management will review the request and obtain any necessary certificates of insurance or documentation.

If there is any doubt as to the need for insurance by either ACU or another party, or if you have any questions regarding insurance coverage, contact the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management.

Phone: (325) 674-6142
Email: risk@acu.edu 

 Claims Procedures

All inquiries or requests for payment or reimbursement of expenses related to claims or settlements should be referred to the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management.  Any accident or incident resulting in injury/illness or damage to ACU’s or another person’s property should be reported as soon as possible by emailing risk@acu.edu or calling 325-674-6142.

When an accident/incident occurs on campus, all necessary actions should be taken to make the scene safe but do not remove any objects or clean the area until notified by ACU Police or the Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management.  This is necessary to allow for the scene to be photographed and investigated.

Do not make any statements regarding ACU’s responsibility, fault, or willingness to pay for any damages or injuries as a result of an accident.

The Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management will compile statements, witness accounts, photographs, and other applicable documentation to prepare a written report providing details and circumstances surrounding the accident.

Refer to the Accidents and Injuries Policy to obtain additional guidance on response, reporting, and documentation procedures.

Worker’s Compensation

The Office of Institutional Compliance & Risk Management is responsible for administering the University’s workers’ compensation program and will serve as the Case Manager for all claims.  All work-related injuries or illnesses should be reported as soon as possible by emailing risk@acu.edu or calling 325-674-6142.

Employees are required to notify their supervisor of work-related injuries or illnesses regardless of where they occur and take all reasonable actions to prevent further injury. If an employee is outside the local area, they should proceed to the nearest minor emergency clinic or emergency room, depending on the extent of the injury, and notify their supervisor after receiving treatment.

Supervisors should take the following actions for employees who are injured in the performance of their duties:

  • If an injury requires medical treatment, refer the employee to Hendrick Urgent Care
  • Call 911 for serious injuries to request assistance/transport to Hendrick Medical Center
  • Report the injury/illness to the Office of Risk Management

ACU is an Out-of-Network participant which means employees may use their own medical provider to treat work-related injuries or illnesses. The provider must be willing to accept Workers’ Comp and it is the employee’s responsibility to verify the coverage.  Employees may be treated by providers that will not accept Workers’ Comp but the employee will be responsible for paying for the medical treatment.

The Office of Risk Management should be consulted if an employee or supervisor is unsure of how to respond to a work-related injury or illness. Refer to the Accidents and Injuries Policy to obtain additional guidance on workers’ comp requirements and procedures.

ACU currently uses the Coventry Workers’ Comp Network to provide health care if an employee is injured at work. For more information regarding the Coventry Workers’ Comp Network, or for additional workers’ compensation instructions and information on your rights and obligations, please click the “Worker’s Comp Packet” button below.

Please also refer to the Office of Human Resources website for information on reporting and seeking treatment for work-related injuries.

Workers’ Comp Packet    Human Resources Forms

On Campus Safety

Find tips and guidelines for keeping all students, employees and guests on ACU’s campus safe.

Crosswalk Safety

The goal of ACU’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program is to increase the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims. AEDs make it possible for trained responders to administer defibrillation prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). There are over 50 AEDs on the ACU Abilene campus and in all ACU Police Department vehicles which can be deployed quickly anywhere on campus.

ACU AED Campus Map

AED Training Video

 

Visit ACU’s on campus MACCC (Medical and Counseling Care Center) page to make an appointment or learn more about the services offered.

MACCC page

Training

Run | Hide | Fight
During an act of violence (e.g. robbery, hostage situation, workplace violence, active shooter):

Run
• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep your hands visible

Hide
• Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
• Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors
• Silence your cell phone

Fight
• As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter

CALL 911 when it is safe to do so.

When Law Enforcement arrives, SHOW YOUR HANDS AND FOLLOW COMMANDS.

Remember that Failure to Plan is Planning to Fail.
Watch the Run | Hide | Fight training video at the button below.

Watch training video

AEDs make it possible for trained responders to administer defibrillation prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

AED Training Video

Please visit our learning CMS for this training.

Watch Video

Driver Safety Course

Please note the following regarding the Driver Safety Course:

  • You will need to login as a new user and set up user credentials. This site is not part of ACU’s single sign-on program.
  • Upon completion of the course, you will receive an email from EduRisk by United Educators with a link to your completion certificate. Download the certificate and email a copy to risk@acu.edu.

Routine drivers and passenger van operators must abide by the conditions of the University Driver Policy, including completion of the Driver Safety Course and running an annual Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). You can obtain the link to run an updated MVR by emailing your request to risk@acu.edu.

If you would like more information, contact the Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management by calling 325-674-6142.

 

Watch Video

Policies and Forms

In keeping with ACU’s Whistleblower Policy (policy 421), Abilene Christian University is dedicated to proactively promoting legal and policy compliance by encouraging all members of the ACU community to report any financial improprieties, illegal practices or policy violations committed by university employees or agents and to protect from retaliation those who make such good-faith reports.

Members of the ACU community have two reporting options: traditional reporting, which is described in the Whistleblower Policy, and Anonymous Reporting. While traditional reporting is encouraged and preferred, if for any reason you find it difficult to use one of the traditional reporting structures, you may report the alleged violation anonymously by using the form below or calling the anonymous hotline: 325-674-2594.

Anonymous Reporting

Visit our Office of General Counsel page for more information.

For more information, visit Legal’s website.