HPER 3100 Risk Management
2 Credits
1:00-1:50 Tues./Thurs.
SpHC 210
Instructor: Dr. Julie (Athman) Ernst
Office: 241 Engr
Office Hours: 11-12 Mon, Tues, Wed; 10-12 Fri
Phone: 726-6761
Email: jernst@d.umn.edu
Class Email: hper3100-1-s2005@d.umn.edu
Course Web URL: www.d.umn.edu/~jernst (select HPER 3100 from course list)
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a proactive approach to managing risks associated
with conducting health, physical education, and recreation programs. The emphasis for
this course is on planning for a safe environment.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to
1. Define risk and risk management.
2. Explain legal concepts such as liability, torts, and negligence.
3. Describe risks inherent in athletic, physical education, recreation and outdoor
education settings.
4. Justify the need to engage in a proactive approach to managing risks in athletic,
physical education, recreation, and outdoor education settings.
5. Implement methods for identifying and assessing risks in facilities and
programs.
6. Critique a risk management plan and provide suggestions for areas where
improvement is needed
Course Expectations:
1. Attendance is required for this course. After 3 unexcused absences, you will
drop one full grade. (Excused absences include pre-approved school or
professional related events, severe illnesses with a doctor/hospital note, or
other absences approved in advance by the instructor.) It is your responsibility
to contact another student for the material covered and/or assignments given
in class when absent.
2. Be prepared for class. Have your readings completed before you come to class.
3. Actively participate in class. By actively participating, you will get the most out
of this course and help others learn from your experiences.
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4. Respect the formal learning environment. This includes arriving and leaving on
time, making sure cell phones are off, and being open to the opinions and ideas
of others. This also includes professional presentation of assignments and
abiding by the University’s academic conduct policies.
5. Ask for assistance. We each have different learning needs and preferences; if
something is unclear or if you need alternative opportunities to learn the course
topics, please ask!
Required Textbook:
Peterson, J. and Hronek, B. (2003). Risk management: Park, recreation, and leisure
services. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.
Course Schedule:
Date
Topic
Tu. 1/18
- Course Introduction
- Syllabus
Th. 1/20
- Defining risk and risk management
- Why risk management?
- 4 Key Risk Areas
Tu. 1/25
- Torts
-Liability
-Civil Litigation Process
Th. 1/27
-Elements of Negligence
Tu. 2/1
-Defenses in Negligence
Th. 2/3
-Waivers
Tu. 2/8
Th. 2/10
-Waiver scripts/presentations
- Standard of Care
Tu. 2/15
Th. 2/17
-Employee Rights
-Employee Rights: Mary Cameron
from Office of Equal Opportunity
-Review
-Mid-term exam
- Independent research to complete
High-Risk Activity Assignment (class
not meeting)
Tu. 2/22
Th. 2/24
Tu. 3/1
Assignment Due
-Read text intro.
-Read “The Safe Outdoors” (on
course website)
-Read Ch. 1
-Read Ch. 2 p. 11-16
-Read Ch. 2 p. 16-22
-Read “School of Rock, ”
“Court Upholds Liability
Waivers,” and “Waivers: Are
they worth the paper they are
written on?” (on course
website)
-Waiver Assignment Due
-Read Ch. 3 and “The Culture
of Safety” (on course website)
-Read Ch. 4
-Application Assignment Due
-Work on Assignment
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Th. 3/3
Tu. 3/8
Th. 3/10
Tu. 3/15
Th. 3/17
Tu. 3/22
Th. 3/24
Tu. 3/29
Th. 3/31
Tu. 4/5
Th. 4/7
Tu. 4/12
Th. 4/14
Tu. 4/19
Th. 4/21
Tu. 4/26
Th. 4/28
-Independent research to complete
High-Risk Activity Assignment (class
not meeting)
-Security and Personal Safety:
Tentative Guest Speaker from
Superior National Forest Resource
Protection/Law Enforcement
- Mandatory Reporting Training (St.
Louis County
Initial Intervention 726-2012)
-Security and Personal Safety/
Institutional Safety: Tentative Guest
Speaker from UMD Police
- The Risk Management Process
Spring Break
Spring Break
-Risk Management Plans
-Description of Risk Management Plan
Critique Assignment
-Risk Management Plans
-Risk Management Plans
-Description of Risk Management
Practices Matrix assignment
Large Event Risk Management: Scott
Keenan from Grandma’s Marathon
Large Event Risk Management: Rod
Raymond - Adventure Duluth
Indoor Recreation Risk Management:
Tentative Guest Speaker from
Climbing Wall
Fitness Facility Risk Management –
Tentative tour of St.Mary’s Center
for Personal Fitness
No Class due to extended session on
4/19
- Outdoor Recreation Risk
Management: Greg Eliason from
UMD’s Sea Kayaking program
- Backcountry Risk Management
-Risk Management for Outdoor Trips
-RAMS forms
-Work on Assignment
-High-Risk Activity
Assignment Due
-Read “Reporting of
Maltreatment of Minors Act”
(on course website)
-Read Ch. 6
-Assigned readings
-Read Ch. 5
-Assigned readings
-Assigned readings
-Meet at the Climbing Wall
(SpHC)
Class will meet at SMCPF at
1:00 – 2:45
-Meeting location to be
announced
- Read “OA Guide To General
Emergency Procedures” and
“OA Guide to Designing a
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Tu. 5/3
Th. 5/5
-Nature Centers and Risk
Management: Hartley Nature Center,
Tom Beery
-Review
Th. 5/12
Final Exam
2:00-3:55
Safety Management Program”
(from course website)
- Meeting location to be
announced
Risk Management Practices
Matrix Due
-Risk Management Plan
Critique Due
Descriptions of Assignments
Descriptions of each assignment will be provided during class.
Evaluation
1. Waiver
10 points
2. Application
10 points
3. High-Risk Activity
10 points
4. RM Practices Matrix
10 points
5. Risk Management Plan Critique
20 points
6. Mid-Term
20 points
7. Final Exam
20 points
*2 unexcused absences result in a full grade drop
*perfect attendance earns 5 extra points!
A 93-100 points
A- 90-92 points
B+ 87-89 points
B 83-86 points
B- 80-82 points
C+ 77-79 points
C 73-76 points
C- 70-72 points
D+ 67-69 points
D 63-66 points
D- 60-62 points
F 59 points or less
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