Risk Management Knowledge for Christian Colleges

By Nate Spite
Partner/Producer
Lightwell Insurance Advisors

As someone deeply involved in the insurance industry, I’ve had the privilege to work with Christian colleges and universities, getting to know the distinct risks they face that set them apart from their secular counterparts.   

Focusing on a Christian Worldview
Christian universities, like other higher ed institutions, are subject to Title IX and Title VII regulations. However, maintaining their faith-based principles adds layers of complexity. For instance, community life covenants and statements of faith can sometimes seem at odds with these federal regulations. We’re often asked about ways we can help them navigate this confusion. For something like this, we can connect them with training resources and reach out to our partners. We’ll work with the Legal Assist team at Brotherhood Mutual, for example, to review and suggest policy adjustments, all while staying aligned with the university’s beliefs, ensuring compliance without compromising values.

Understanding Distinct Challenges
When we work with a college, we look at everything. What is distinct in the programs they offer? How is their campus set up? What’s their structure for safety and risk management policies? Some have dedicated risk management departments, while others might have a CFO juggling multiple roles. Outreach programs, mission trips, athletics, and onsite daycare all figure into the mix. We’re checking out everything from managing faculty and staff to maintaining large fleets of vehicles to student safety.

Our approach involves spending multiple days on campus. We roll up our sleeves and work closely with the college to understand what’s happening and tailor our services and recommendations accordingly. Most importantly, we encourage open communication. Our philosophy of being "on staff, not on payroll" underscores our commitment to integrating seamlessly with the colleges and universities we serve, providing ongoing support and guidance.

Providing Proactive Measures for Risk Mitigation
One of our beliefs as Lightwell agents is that “insurance is at its best when it doesn't have to be used.” We emphasize proactive risk management to prevent incidents before they happen. For example, installing automated water shutoff valves with smart leak detection can prevent water damage to campus buildings. Inspecting fire suppression systems to ensure they work correctly also minimizes the threat of extreme water damage during a cold snap. Managing auto exposures is particularly important, given the frequent transportation of students and athletes. Ensuring only qualified drivers are behind the wheel can significantly reduce auto-related exposures.

Addressing Unique Liability and Property Concerns
This is one of those areas our team really shines. When our customers have a special need and are unsure how to make it work or if it will be covered by their insurance policy, we dive right in, exploring practical solutions. For instance, we addressed the needs of a hearing-impaired student living in a dorm with a sound-only fire alarm. This student wanted to stay close to her friends and didn’t want to relocate dorms, so we got creative. After doing research, we identified a plug-in smoke detector with a strobe light, allowing her to stay with her friends while ensuring her safety.

Another example involved finding a way to help reduce slip-and-fall incidents during icy campus conditions. During a particularly harsh winter, one of the universities we work with experienced a significant number of injuries from students slipping on icy walkways as they traversed between their dorms and classes. Their leadership reached out to us for advice on how to mitigate these risks and ensure student safety.

Recognizing the challenge, we brainstormed a creative and engaging solution: the "student shuffle" campaign. We collaborated together to create a series of fun and informative materials. The idea was to encourage students to adopt a safer way of walking on icy surfaces by shuffling their feet instead of taking regular steps, which would help prevent them from slipping and falling.

Wrapping Up
Our commitment to serving colleges and universities goes beyond providing insurance. We view our work as an avenue for building the Kingdom and serving the broader mission of Christian higher education. Thank you for all you do in providing a safe space for tomorrow’s leaders to live and learn.

Watch Nate's full interview here, or listen to The Lightwell Podcast on your favorite streaming service.

About the Author: Nate has 14+ years of insurance industry experience. As a partner/producer with Lightwell Insurance Advisors, he serves ministries and nonprofits in Indiana and Michigan.  

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We're a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection.

This blog post provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. All coverage options are subject to their specific terms, conditions, coverage limits, limitations, and exclusions.