From Paul Adams:Update: 4/5/2018
Lisa Nagel (General Counsel and VP of Administration and Human Resources) personally reached out to me and has rectified the issue.
The instructor information has been removed from the website. The liability is not an issue. Everything has been resolved.
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I have been receiving numerous queries regarding the college administration's severe weather procedures. The college administration is making the claim that instructors are legally liable for students under their control in the classroom. Further, administration is claiming that for instructors to avoid liability issues, said instructors must take control of the class in an emergency situation by making sure that necessary actions to protect have been taken. There are many questions that need to be addressed.
- Are faculty even legally liable?
- What are the necessary actions to protect?
- What has the college done to address said situations?
- Do all instructors need to have stronger indemnification rights?
The College agrees to indemnify bargaining unit members from liability incurred in the good faith performance of their duties. Further, the College may indemnify bargaining unit members from liability for compensatory or punitive damages incurred in the performance of their duties by paying any judgment in, or amount negotiated in settlement of, any civil action arising under the law of the State of Ohio, the law of any other state, or under federal law. (OFA CBA ARTICLE 26)
- If faculty are potentially liable and not properly indemnified, then all faculty will be advised to cancel class(es) due to potential threats of severe weather. Said faculty will not be docked pay nor required to submit leave for classes canceled due to threats of severe weather.
Paul Adams, President
Owens Faculty Association
From: Steve J. Robinson
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2018 5:00 PM
To: Steve J. Robinson
Subject: Severe Weather Procedures
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2018 5:00 PM
To: Steve J. Robinson
Subject: Severe Weather Procedures
Dear Campus Community:
With the departure of winter and the onset of spring, the Department of Public Safety wants to remind the Owens Community how to stay safe during the approach of severe weather while on campus. Your safety is our first priority. Additionally, this would be a good time to initiate planning for safety and preparedness strategies for you and your family, as most tornadoes usually occur between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Please follow the link below for Designated Tornado Shelter Areas, Campus Notification Procedures, as well as instructions for you, when you are in a building, vehicle, or outside without shelter during a severe weather event.
Owens Alert Management Link; College Delay and Closing; Severe Weather Information; Designated Tornado Shelter Areas. All campus buildings have pre-established tornado shelters. |
Have a safe spring.
Chief Steinke