Minot State / Safety and Security / Elevated Risk Activities at Student Events
Safety and Security

Elevated Risk Activities at Student Events

Minot State University

Division of Student Affairs

Policy: Elevated Risk Activities at Student Events

I. Purpose and Scope

This policy establishes procedures for reviewing and approving student-sponsored events involving activities that present an elevated potential for participant injury or institutional liability. The policy applies to registered student organizations, university departments hosting student-facing events, and third-party vendors participating in events on university property or under university sponsorship.

II. Governing Standards and Definition

All events must comply with the MSU Student Code of Conduct, MSU Facility Use and Event Policies, NDUS Risk Management requirements, and applicable state and local safety regulations. Where requirements conflict, the stricter standard shall apply.

An Elevated Risk Activity is any activity in which the nature of the activity, equipment, environment, or conditions creates an increased potential for participant injury. Examples include, but are not limited to, axe throwing, skiing, snowboarding, go-karts, mechanical rides, inflatables, climbing activities, recreational water activities, adventure activities, and student trips involving potentially hazardous conditions. The Division of Student Affairs may designate additional activities as elevated risk based on the circumstances of the event.

III. Approval Requirements

A complete Event Risk Approval Form must be submitted to the Division of Student Affairs at least 60 calendar days before the event. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The submission must include:

  1. Event Proposal: Purpose, university alignment, anticipated attendance, audience, schedule, and location.
  2. Risk Management Plan: Identification of potential hazards, safety protocols, supervision, equipment standards, and risk mitigation measures.
  3. Vendor Documentation: Certificate of Insurance meeting NDUS requirements, required indemnification naming NDUS/MSU, and applicable licenses or certifications.
  4. Staffing Plan: MSU faculty/staff advisor, appropriate security personnel when necessary, and designated event safety monitors.
  5. Participant Safety Documentation: Required liability waivers, participant eligibility requirements, posted safety guidelines, and safety briefings.
  6. Emergency Response Plan: First aid provisions, coordination with MSU Police and local EMS, and incident escalation procedures. 

IV. Review and Approval

Proposals may be reviewed by the Division of Student Affairs, MSU Police/Safety Office, Facilities Management, NDUS Risk Management, and President’s Staff, as appropriate. Approval will consider the nature of the activity, potential for injury, adequacy of risk mitigation measures, vendor qualifications, supervision, and institutional liability exposure.

MSU reserves the right to require modifications, prohibit specific activities, establish additional safety requirements, or cancel an event when safety requirements cannot be adequately satisfied.

V. Operational and Safety Requirements

Elevated risk activities must be conducted in accordance with applicable safety standards and, when appropriate, operated or supervised by trained and qualified personnel. Required protective equipment must be provided and used. Participant eligibility requirements and safety briefings must be established when appropriate.

Events must provide adequate lighting, barriers, crowd-control measures, and clearly designated participant and spectator areas. Outdoor events must include appropriate weather contingency plans. Authorized MSU officials have immediate authority to suspend or shut down an activity when unsafe conditions exist.

VI. Incident Reporting and Non-Compliance

All injuries, significant safety violations, or incidents involving elevated risk activities must be reported to the Division of Student Affairs within 24 hours. A post-event report or review may be required.

Violations of this policy may result in immediate event termination, loss of event-hosting privileges, referral through the Student Conduct process, and/or financial responsibility for resulting damages or violations.

VII. Policy Review and Contact

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Division of Student Affairs to ensure continued alignment with NDUS requirements, applicable regulations, and current campus risk-management practices.

Division of Student Affairs
Minot State University