October 13, 2005
By Valerie Orleans

As director of university risk management, John Beisner offers advice, training and resources to allow faculty and staff to manage and balance risks without unnecessarily limiting programs and activities.

“Learning and discovering new things often requires risk,” said Beisner, a CSUF alumnus (B.A. business administration-finance ’86) and former Associated Student president. “My goal is to find a safe way to acquire that knowledge.”

To that end, faculty and staff members frequently meet with Beisner to determine how to reduce risks associated with their programs or projects.

“There are several areas I focus on,” Beisner explained. “The first is responding to and assisting with claims and litigation filed against the university. For instance, if a tree on our property falls and cracks a student’s car windshield, that student would look to the university to pay for the damage. The same is true for accidents on campus, such as trips and falls. I manage these types of claims, while Pat Carroll — our university counsel — takes on claims that are litigated.”

Beisner is quick to point out that the hard work of folks such as Tom Whitfield, director of environmental health and instructional safety; Judi King, chief of university police; and the human resources staff greatly reduces the number of claims filed against Cal State Fullerton.

“The key is to anticipate potential problems and develop systems to avoid or minimize the likelihood of more serious problems,” he said. “It is a great help when you are working with others who recognize the importance of reducing risk.”

Beisner also works with contracts and procurement personnel.

“I review contracts and insurance claims to minimize any problems that could potentially affect the university,” he said. “This includes ensuring that the university assumes only those risks that are necessary, and that any financial promises are supported by adequate insurance. I review these agreements to make sure they address all relevant issues.”

The contracts don’t necessarily relate to university events or programs. Even contracts for such things as renting out the baseball field to a minor league team cross Beisner’s desk.

Risk assessment and consulting also are a part of his job.

“This is where we look at potential risk and determine ways to minimize it,” he explains. “That is really the essence of risk management.

“The overarching goal is to figure out how to empower faculty and management to use risk management tools on their own,” Beisner said. “We look at areas where we have to take risks — such as in labs or on athletic fields — and figure out how to make that environment as safe as possible.”

Beisner, who earned his law degree at Yale, spent three years in private practice before returning to his alma mater in 1992. He started in university advancement.

In July 1995, he joined President Milton A. Gordon’s staff and in 2001 became acting director of risk management — a position made permanent a year later.

Among the work Beisner is most proud of is that on behalf of students and faculty involved in international travel.

“After 9/11, I think we all became more aware of the inherent risks in travel,” he said. “The university now requires insurance for all international travel, and risk management pays that cost.

“We also have created a travel database so that we know where our faculty, staff and students are around the globe.”

In addition, Beisner has been involved in developing campus driving guidelines. For instance, if an employee is driving his personal vehicle (even if the trip is for university business), his insurance is primary, not the university’s.

“Not everybody knows that and they should,” Beisner explained. “We also have developed programs to encourage safe driving.

“My goal is to develop guidelines and policies that not only reduce risk but that make sense,” he said. “Risk is inherent in the university environment but our goal is to minimize it as much as possible without interfering with the learning process.”

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