Administrative Handbook

1. Scope of this document

2. Introduction

3. The mission of UC Nature

4. Origins of UC Nature

5. Administrative structure of UC Nature

6. Institutional guiding principles on the selection, operation, and use of UC Nature sites

7. Acquisition guidelines for reserves

8. Outline of reserve acquisition process

9. Program: Teaching and research

10. Program: Publications

11. Program: Public service

12. Support groups and naming policy

13. Guidelines for management planning

14. Guidelines for facilities development

15. Guidelines for annual reports

16. Ten-year reserve reviews

17. Fees and recharges for reserve use

18. Reserve use guidelines

19. Reserve security guidelines

20. Resources for management of risk and liability

21. Information on liability of UC employees and volunteers

22. Waiver guidelines

23. Firearm guidelines

24. Guidelines for evaluating mitigation projects on UC Nature reserves

25. Field safety

21. Information on liability of UC employees and volunteers

UC employees

Scope of this section

This section provides information on the protection from personal liability (i.e., legal obligation to pay) of UC employees in the event of loss or injury sustained by a reserve user.

Summary of relevant California law and University policy

The California Tort Claims Act requires that the University provide defense and indemnification with respect to claims alleged to result from acts or omissions of University employees while in the course and scope of University employment.

Beyond the requirements of the Tort Claims Act, the University also has policies that may protect the employee in contract actions and in other situations.

Statement of employee’s scope of duties

Protection of the employee under the law and policies mentioned above turns on whether a claim involves actions on the part of the employee which fall within the course and scope of University employment.

For each reserve employee, there should be a clear, complete, and current statement of the employee’s scope of duties, either as embodies in the employee’s job description or, if more appropriate, in a separate document.

Volunteer workers

Scope of this section

This section provides guidance on the establishment of “volunteer employee” status for volunteer workers.

Purposes of volunteer employee status

Volunteer employee status achieves two purposes:

  1. a worker’s claims against the University for injuries incurred while on volunteer employee status are governed by worker’s compensation law, and
  2. a worker is protected from personal liability toward third parties while acting as a volunteer employee.

Establishing volunteer employee status

All volunteer workers, including people contributing work for a short time as well as others such as spouses contributing work over many months or years, should be placed on volunteer employee status by processing the equivalent of a Personnel Action Form with the campus personnel office. Managers should consult their respective campus risk manager for guidance on what forms need to be completed. This action should be accomplished before the volunteer worker begins any activity.