Office of the Chief Financial Officer

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CFO Division
University of California
Office of the President
1111 Franklin St., 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607-5201

Waivers & Releases FAQ

  1. I've heard pros and cons about waivers of liability. When should they be used and are there forms on-line that can be used?
  2. Should employees be required to sign waivers of liability?
  3. What do I do if my department (or an individual within it) is sued?
  4. What if I want to hold a campus function at an off-campus facility?
  5. How are students insured?
  1. I've heard pros and cons about waivers of liability. When should they be used and are there forms on-line that can be used?
    If the activity or event is voluntary, waivers should be used.
  2. Should employees be required to sign waivers of liability?
    No, unless the employee is participating in a voluntary event that has no relation to employment with UC. An example of a non-related UC function might be a trip through Outdoor Adventures. In this instance, the employee is just considered a member of the public and should be required to sign the same forms as other participants.
  3. What do I do if my department (or an individual within it) is sued?
    The first thing to do is look at the top of the Summons Form and see who is being sued. Only if you are named as one of the defendants do you have authority to sign for the suit. You do NOT have authority to sign on behalf of the University or any sub-unit (such as your department). Refer summons servers to the Office of General Counsel at the Office of the President.
  4. What if I want to hold a campus function at an off-campus facility?
    If your department sponsors an event off-campus, the host facility will probably ask you to provide evidence of insurance or a Certificate of Insurance. Call the contracting office on your campus at least 15 business days before the event and ask them to execute a contract with the host facility. Once the contract is signed, the campus Risk Management Office will issue the insurance certification.
  5. How are students insured?
    • Health:
      Health insurance is the students' responsibility. Registered students must either present evidence of private coverage or purchase coverage through Student Health Services. Call Campus Student Health Services for more information. Students who work for the University and are injured in the line of duty are covered by Workers' Compensation. Call your campus Worker's Compensation Manager for more information.
    • Activities:
      The University does not provide liability insurance for student groups or their activities. The University's responsibility for damage, loss, or injury caused by students depends strictly on the extent of the University's involvement. Any campus unit dealing with a student group and worried about liability should contact Campus Risk Management. Campus Risk Management should also be consulted to inquire about coverage for field trips, internships, and other for-credit student activities.