Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

"The student "Outing Club," which has gone backpacking, kayaking, and hiking in state parks over the course of its 98-year-existence, will no longer be allowed to host outdoor events after administrators conducted a risk assessment, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"The types of activities in which [Penn State Outing Club] engages are above the university's threshold of acceptable risk for recognized student organizations," according to an official announcement.

A key issue for administrators was that the Outing Club frequently visit locations with poor cell phone coverage. "

https://reason.com/blog/2018/04/22/penn ... lub-safety

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/educat ... e=Facebook


How about an assessment based on historical participation rates vs. injuries/incidents/fatalities?

Check the news archives for Penn State liability WRT *ahem* athletics and fraternities and alcohol etc...
Pathetic

Thanks for the post, arocknoid. Shocking. But not too surprising, given the arrogant self-justifying non-academic administrative branches that universities have sprouted in recent decades.

Everybody is scared of being sued. One unfortunate accident resulting in a fatality would have outraged parents screaming that the school didn't protect their child. The wrongful death suit would cost millions.

Howdy 'Noid

Ugh Especially ironic considering the football-Sandusky-child abuse and fraternity-hazing-alcohol scandals.

Agree that assessment should be based on historical participation rates vs. injuries/incidents/fatalities.

If cell phone coverage is the issue, couldn't the club use a satellite phone or two-way satellite messenger?

On a lighter note regarding cell phones -- when Sister Sally, Miracle Marilyn and I trekked in Europe, a Zermatt gift shop had mugs with a picture of the Matterhorn and the words "no cell phone coverage on summit."

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Ellen wrote:Howdy 'Noid

Ugh Especially ironic considering the football-Sandusky-child abuse and fraternity-hazing-alcohol scandals.


On a lighter note regarding cell phones -- when Sister Sally, Miracle Marilyn and I trekked in Europe, a Zermatt gift shop had mugs with a picture of the Matterhorn and the words "no cell phone coverage on summit."

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Yes indeed. I suspect that played a part in a comprehensive review of risk assessment on all fronts, and some student group activities were low-hanging fruit.

Zermatt mug displays the right idea.
Your Europe trek was like a dream, for many of us.