As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and
universities were required to very quickly alter their day-to-day operations
and, in many cases, shut down large portions of their physical campuses in
order protect the health and safety of the campus community. These
drastic operational changes have significantly impacted the ability of some
colleges and universities to fulfill contractual requirements with their
vendors. Whether it be a cancelled sporting event or plans to upgrade a
campus building, institutions must determine how they can best resolve their
inability to move forward on many contracts. Additionally, as
institutions experience financial losses due to the pandemic, they will look to
their insurance policies as a way to possibly mitigate losses.
Please join us for a NACUA Briefing with Patricia
Jendraszek, Assistant General Counsel, Teachers College, Columbia University;
Art Lee, Deputy General Counsel, University of Arizona; and Rachel Pluviose,
Director, Risk Management & Insurance, Johns Hopkins University. Our
presenters will share their expertise regarding how to navigate commercial
contracts and insurance claims during this challenging time. They will address
key legal and practical considerations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, such
as: steps to take when unable to fulfill contract terms; how to respond when a
vendor fails to perform as promised; invoking possible defenses to nonperformance
(including a discussion of force majeure provisions); identifying possible
sources of insurance recovery; and what elements an institution will
likely have to satisfy in order to receive coverage.
This 30-minute briefing will be audio-only and will be
complimentary to NACUA members.