W. Scott Lewis, J.D.
Partner, NCHERM
W. Scott Lewis, J.D. is a partner with the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management. He recently served as the assistant vice provost for judicial affairs and academic integrity at the University of South Carolina. He brings more than 15 years of experience as a student affairs administrator, faculty member, and consultant in higher education. He is a frequent keynote and plenary speaker, nationally recognized for his work on behavioral intervention for students in crisis and distress. He is noted as well for his work in the area of classroom management. He presents regularly throughout the country, assisting colleges and universities with legal, judicial, and risk management issues, as well as policy development and implementation. He has served as a co-author and editor in a number of areas including legal issues in higher education, campus safety and student development, campus conduct board training, and other higher education issues. He is a member of NASPA, ACPA, CAI, serves on the Executive Board for SCCPA, and is past-president of the Board of Directors for ASCA (formerly ASJA). He did his undergraduate work in psychology and his graduate work in higher education administration at Texas A&M University and received his law degree and mediation training from the University of Houston. He has served as clinical and adjunct faculty, teaching in the colleges of education, political science, and business.
Visit WebsiteProducts Featuring W. Scott Lewis, J.D.
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A Perfect Storm: Understanding and Managing MillennialsThe so-called "millennial generation" has arrived on campus, and they've brought with them new and serious challenges. It doesn't matter if your institution is large or small, private or public–you've likely already encountered this perplexing group. We explore the "perfect storm" of social and environmental factors that contributed to the development of the millennial generation and offer practical advice for working with this unique group. |
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Behavioral Intervention Teams: 20 Frequently Asked QuestionsBehavioral Intervention Teams (BIT) are being implemented at numerous colleges and universities to help maintain a healthy and safe environment for all students, faculty and staff. They are being used to help institutions identify early warning signs for incidents that may include campus shootings, suicide attempts, and alcohol and drug abuse. Nationally recognized experts on campus safety provide you with valuable information on trends and best practices in the formation and operation of successful BITs. |
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Best Practices in Risk Management for Student AffairsEvery institution needs to carefully examine its policies and practices … lawsuits are simply too costly to allow for anything less than a robust prevention strategy. But where to start? As the saying goes, “Fight the fire where it’s hottest.” In colleges and universities, that would be Student Affairs. We share the experiences of two seasoned consultants to more than 1,400 colleges and universities, and provide you with a set of best practices that will keep your Student Affairs department on solid legal ground. |
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Cell Phones, Laptops and Facebook: What Can I Do About Them?While making our lives easier, technology has also provided a number of new challenges in the classroom–particularly with cell phones, laptops and social networking sites. You need to work with Millennials more effectively on the use of cell phones, laptops and Facebook. Our program offers specific strategies on effectively managing when, where and how these tools are related to classroom learning. |
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Conducting Rights and Compliance Audits: Implementing ResultsHow can you help ensure your institution is respecting and protecting individual rights? How can you feel comfortable you’re doing all you can to prevent errors and oversights at every level, in every department? Rights audits should be a fundamental part of your strategy. They can be implemented quickly and with relative ease, and they can be very, very effective–and you can learn more about them in this seminar. |
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How Can I Properly and Legally Dismiss a Student From a Class?If you do need to dismiss a student, how do you do it properly and legally? We answer basic questions about dismissing students from class. We tell you how to prevent it from happening–and gives you sample statements to include in your syllabus. In addition, we share a rubric that you might use with students who are admitted back to your class to ensure the behavior you expect. |
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Implementing Preventive Law Best PracticesLitigation–for myriad offenses, violations and grievances–is skyrocketing. Institutions often lose or settle these cases–at great expense. Sometimes they prevail–but also at great expense. Once you’ve been sued, there really is no “winning.” We explain how universities are rethinking their approach to risk management–bolstering the existing centralized, top-down process, with a more localized, department-level practice of preventive law. |
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Law 101 for Faculty Members: How Not to Get SuedFaculty members are expected to know and adhere to a host of new legal mandates. Two higher education attorneys cover important legal essentials for today's faculty. We provide the necessary tools and information to understand the legal concerns that most commonly impact academia and how to prevent the litigation that can arise from them. Designed for everyone who can be held accountable for knowing and implementing legal mandates. |
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Legal Primer for New Academic AdministratorsThere are issues of academic freedom and the First Amendment in the classroom. There are the challenges of managing faculty employees and disciplining and terminating faculty when necessary. There is the ongoing problem of sexual harassment in academia. For new administrators, proper training is the key to managing legal risks without losing the confidence to perform effectively. We provide an overview of the essential knowledge required to function appropriately in the current higher education legal climate |
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My Student Has a Mental Health or Substance Issue. Now What?When you see odd classroom behavior, what can or should you do? Your response depends on a number of factors, which are described in detail by W. Scott Lewis, J.D. During this program you will learn basic identification criteria for reporting and responding to students who have a mental health or substance issue. |
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Tools to Reduce Personal Liability for College AdministratorsRecent court cases have raised the very real possibility that college administrators will be liable for actions they take on behalf of their institutions. Discrimination and harassment complaints – and in particular, complaints under Section 1983 – are no longer being filed only against institutions, but against the individuals who work there. There is an acute and urgent need for institutions and individuals to get the facts, and take steps to protect themselves. We help you can gain critical insight into the issues. |
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Veterans: Their Expectations, Our Challenges & Legal DutiesVeterans in colleges and universities need-and deserve-special attention. The generous GI Bill, coupled with troop reductions in the Middle East, means that more and more military veterans are showing up in higher education. Is your campus prepared for them? An Iraq veteran and an attorney explain the services returning military personnel need to transition successfully from the battlefield to the classroom. |
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What Can I Legally Tell People Who Call Me About My Students?Requirements for the disclosure of student information under FERPA and individual institutions are both comprehensive and complex, as they define and govern the handling of not-confidential information as well as confidential educational records. In addition, under FERPA there are “danger zones”. We outline the questions that you must ask before responding to inquiries about your students. |
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What Should I Do When Students Say They Have a Disability?The number of students with disabilities at our college campuses has grown in recent years. As a result, the range of potential issues and requests that faculty may encounter from these students is more diverse—and challenging—than ever before. We walk you through the fundamental requirements to ensure you are working with students properly under the law. |
