A new report produced by the NCAA, the American Council on Education and United Educators Insurance guides campus administrators addressing the issue of safety in student transportation.

The report, "Safety in Student Transportation: A Resource Guide for Colleges and Universities," identifies the ways in which most accidents involving student transportation occur and provides guidance on minimizing risk. Institutions are encouraged to examine their own risk factors in applying the suggestions to their individual campuses.

The report was drafted in response to a request from the National Transportation Safety Board. Impressed by the changes made to Oklahoma State University’s travel policies after a charter plane accident in 2001 that killed 12 people, the NTSB asked ACE, the NCAA and others to inform the higher education community about safe travel for athletics teams. With the assistance of United Educators Insurance, the project grew to encompass all student travel.

"Spurred on by the tragedy at Oklahoma State, I believe we have created the first comprehensive review of student travel safety," said Ann H. Franke, president, Wise Results, LLC, who authored the report. "Administrators, students, and parents will all find lessons here to reduce the risks of injury and death."

The NCAA distributed the report to presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, senior woman administrators, business managers and risk managers at all member institutions. The book also is available electronically through the "health and safety" section of www.ncaa.org (Academics and athletics > Personal welfare > Health and safety). Additional copies may be purchased through www.acenet.edu.

NCAA President Myles Brand challenged the membership to adopt at least one recommendation from the safety report. 

"With each passing year, more learning than before takes place outside the classroom," Brand said. "American college and university students travel for academic field trips, community service, athletics events, clubs and many other purposes. I have no doubt that education is enhanced through such activities, but as we benefit from increased mobility, we must refocus on safety."

ACE President David Ward emphasized the utility of the report to campus administrators.

"Because student travel and safety is always a paramount concern, I think college and university administrators — presidents and chancellors, particularly — will find this document informative and useful," Ward said. "The safety suggestions in the report are specific, but outlined in a way that allows them to be employed flexibly to meet individual needs and campus situations."

The report examines a number of institutions’ policies and provides multiple ways to improve campus safety. Administrators searching for ways to limit the risk of serious accidents have a range of policy recommendations available, allowing them to craft a program that best fits their institution’s needs. Among the ideas for vehicle travel:

The report also offers suggestions for making campus air travel safer.

"Safety in Student Transportation: A Resource Guide for Colleges and Universities," is accompanied by a CD-ROM of supplemental material, including several university travel policies.