Risk Organization: _______________________________
Assessment
Matrix Event Name: _______________________________
This form has been provided as an educational tool to help student leaders develop a process for identifying and discussing potential risk
issues. This form is intended to use as part of a larger event planning discussion and is not designed to take the place of a careful review of
applicable rules, policies, laws or discussions with an advisor.
Does this event fit the mission of
your organization and the University?
Please explain. List all aspects of your
event, including low and high risk
activities.
Think through all the things that
could go wrong. Identify risk
associated with each activity and
utilize the matrix to determine the
level of risk associated with each
activity before apply any risk
management strategies.
Things to consider:
Does a third party carry liability?
Have you read University policies?
Would you need to purchase
insurance?
Consider what your organization
could do to manage the risk and
bring it to a reasonable level.
Should this event require risk
awareness or release forms?
Are there alternate events that are
less risky and could fulfill the
mission?
Is your group interested in imposing
additional guidelines?
1 2 3
Recognized Student Organization Event Planning
Category
Probability That Something Will Go Wrong
Frequent
Likely to
occur
immediately
or
expected
to occur
Likely
Quite likely
to occur in
time
Occasional
May Occur
Seldom
Not likely
to occur,
but
possible
Unlikely
Unlikely to
occur
CATASTROPHIC
May result in severe injury, disability or
death.
E E H H M
CRITICAL
May cause injury, major property damage,
significant financial loss, and/or result in
negative publicity for the organization
and/or the University.
E H H M L
MARGINAL
May cause minor injury, illness, property
damage, financial loss, and/or result in
negative publicity for the organization
and/or the University.
H M M L L
NEGLIGIBLE
Hazards present a minimal threat to safety,
health and well-being of participants and
staff.
M L L L L
Severity of Risk
Risk Key
Extremely High
Risk
High Risk
Moderate Risk
Low Risk
Determine the level of risk associated with your event by reviewing the matrix
below. Once finished, determine if you have reached an acceptable level of risk by
applying risk management strategies. If not, consider modifying or eliminating
activities that have unreasonable risk associated with them.
STUDENT ORG LEADER & ADVISOR:
After reviewing risk assessment, this event is determined to be:
Confirm _____________________________ Not Recommended _____________________________
Advisor Name_____________________________ Student Org Leader Name _____________________________
For additional information or should you
require assistance in completing the matrix,
please contact Northwestern University
Office of Risk Management.