Crisis Management in Higher Education

Goodwin Procter will host a breakfast briefing on best practices for colleges and universities in planning for and managing crisis situations. Our panel will be moderated by Goodwin Procter Partner Anthony M. Feeherry, and features the following panelists: Robert W. Iuliano, Vice President and General Counsel, Harvard University; Robert A. Knox, Chair of Board of Trustees, Boston University; and Peter Mancusi, Strategic Media & Crisis Communications Specialist, Weber Shandwick Worldwide. Our discussion will cover a range of issues from an effective crisis management plan, to crisis response and how to manage public perception and the media, to the legal and ethical issues that need to be considered in a crisis. Other discussion topics include: Whether and how to conduct an internal investigation; effects of social media on managing a crisis; balancing the interests between protecting an institution's reputation and limiting its criminal exposure; notification and disclosure obligations; roles and responsibilities of board members and administrators; and if and when to call outside counsel and/or a crisis management firm.