I think you need to define if there is a difference between foreign travel
etc.  on a University business/conference trip versus the one proposed by
the NGS.   What happens to the status of employment, if any, for the
affected individual(s)?   What provisions does his/her  health/accident
insurance coverage provide for normal University business when s/he is out
of the country?   The answers to these types of questions may help you in
getting off on the right foot.   It is best to check with your senior
administrators(G&C, Human Resources)/Deans, etc. if there is question or
approval needed for this type of "off-campus activity".

Gary P. Naegel
Administrator
Yale School of Medicine
Department of Pharmacology
xxxxxx@Maspo1.mas.yale.edu
(203) 785-4373
 ----------
From: RESADM-L
To: Multiple recipients of list RESADM-L
Subject: National Geographic Society Grants--Liability/Insurance Issues
Date: Monday, September 26, 1994 3:04PM

 One of our faculty members just received a grant from National
Geographic Society for a field expedition to China.  In addition to our PI,
there will be researchers from about six different universities/
organizations in different countries who will participate in the field
work.

 Although NGS writes the checks to the investigators, our PI has
requested that he endorse the check over to us and that we manage the funds
thru our grants accounting system.  We are okay with the accounting part
but have some questions about liability.  We are thinking about drawing up
a "hold harmless" agreement for all of the expedition team members,
indicating that the College of Charleston is not liable for things that
could go wrong--including bodily injury--in the field.  From the
humanitarian standpoint, we are also concerned that these other
investigators know the extent to which their own health insurance will
cover them in China so that they know how to handle medical emergencies in
the field.

 Has anyone out there had experience with this kind of project?  Is the
"hold harmless" agreement a good idea?  Or is there a better way to address
our concerns?

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Barbara H. Gray                                  xxxxxx@cofc.edu
Director of Sponsored Programs                   Phone: (803) 953-5673
University of Charleston, SC                     FAX:   (803) 953-1434
66 George Street
Charleston, SC  29424-0001