Risk Management

The Office of Risk Management, in service to the Universities of Wisconsin, the State of Wisconsin, and the public good, collaborates with our partners across the state to advance innovation, safety, and the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. We accomplish this through collaboration, empathy, integrity, stewardship, and the pursuit of truth.

Support in Achieving Strategic Goals

In the Office of Risk Management, we embrace the Universities of Wisconsin’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, and specifically strive to encourage a risk management culture that advances the strategies outlined in that plan. Our office assists our partners across the state in engaging with the risks that may prevent them from implementing the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and equally as important we assist in managing any risks generated from implementing the strategic plan. Through this engagement, our partners find support in creating resilient and successful approaches to achieve the UW’s strategic goals.

In the Office of Risk Management, we are focused not just on reducing risk, but on reducing the total cost of risk, recognizing the importance of opportunity cost and the UW’s commitment to innovation as outlined in the strategic plan.

Support in Achieving Operational Excellence and Cost Reduction

The Office of Risk Management supports our system and university partners in various ways as they strive to achieve their specific functional, program, and divisional goals. This includes:

• Administering the relevant sections of the State of Wisconsin Statutes related to risk management, insurance, and liability. Working with our colleagues across the system to establish policies and procedures that effectively manage the UW’s risk within the confines defined by statute.
• Administering the state’s self-funded insurance program for the UW. This includes program coverage analysis, premium allocation, claims handling, and loss control. Working with Bureau of State Risk Management to drive down the total cost of risk transfer for the UW and ensuring competitive rates given current market conditions.
• Negotiating and procuring insurance policies on behalf of the UW when necessary coverage is not provided by the Bureau of State Risk Management.
• Assisting our campus partners in the development and maintenance of appropriate facility use agreements, affiliation agreements, and contract language related to risk management and insurance. Ensuring risk is effectively transferred and that the UW is not taking on any unnecessary cost of risk via contract.
• In the unfortunate event of an employee injury, adjusting any workers’ compensation claim with compassion and a high level of customer service.
• Developing and maintaining emergency management systems and responses, monitoring areas of high risk.
• Providing support to the universities related to environmental, health, and safety issues, including hazardous waste disposal, loss control, and occupational safety.