We often focus on the headlines in legal cases. They trumpet the huge dollar amounts being sought. And everyone becomes cautious. Or we focus on the story we heard about a case in which millions were awarded for something basic, like a cup of too-hot coffee. And we get concerned.

Internships off-campus offer students an opportunity to apply their learned knowledge, develop their skills, and establish relationships to future careers. But when students leave the campus, there can be real risks for both the campus and the student. Those risks need to be addressed and managed carefully.

To what degree can public colleges and universities provide employment benefits to same-sex domestic partners? Ohio and Michigan have either laws or constitutional provisions banning same-sex marriages. But public schools in these statest have tried to respond to employee needs and requests by offering benefits to employee same-sex partners. Those efforts have been challenged in the courts.