A. Syracuse University will furnish an employee of the University with legal defense through legal counsel selected by the University and with payment of judgments, fines, penalties, settlements, and any other expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with an actual or threatened civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action; claim; or proceeding (an “Action”) brought against the employee by reason of being an employee of the University or serving at the University’s request as a member of or representative to an entity outside the University.
B. Defense and/or payment under this policy will be available only if all of the following conditions are met to the satisfaction of the University, in its sole discretion:
- 1. The employee’s actions or omissions were within the scope of their University duties and authority.
- 2. The employee’s actions or omissions were in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be lawful and in the best interests of the University.
- 3. The acts or omissions did not constitute dishonesty, gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct, or the intentional infliction of harm, and the employee did not receive any financial profit or advantage to which they were not legally entitled.
- 4. The original or a copy of any summons, complaint, notice, demand, letter, or other document or pleading in the action, or a writing setting forth the substance of any claim, complaint, or charge made orally, was delivered to the University’s Risk Management Department (or in cases involving employment practices, to the Office of Human Resources) within seven days after receipt of such document, oral claim, complaint, or charge, with a specific request in writing that the University represent the employee.
- 5. The employee cooperates continuously and fully with the University in the defense of the action.
C. The protection in this policy will not extend to:
- 1. Consulting or other outside professional or business activities for which the employee or an entity with which they are affiliated is entitled to receive compensation exceeding reasonable expenses from a party other than the University.
- 2. Acts or omissions while an employee is on an unpaid leave of absence from the University.
- 3. Actions that an employee may affirmatively initiate or propose initiating against any other person or entities.
- 4. Any action to the extent that the damage or loss is indemnifiable under any insurance which is in force and covers the employee.
- 5. Members of a collective bargaining unit at the University, except to the extent that indemnification rights have been incorporated into a collective bargaining agreement.
- 6. Trustees or officers of the University.
- 7. Any indemnification prohibited by law.
D. The benefits of this policy do not enlarge the rights which would have been available to any third-party plaintiff or claimant in the absence of this policy.
E. Syracuse University reserves the right to change or withdraw this policy in its sole discretion, except as to claims based on acts or omissions which occurred before the change or withdrawal of the policy. Notice of any change or withdrawal will be published in a publication of general circulation at the University.
F. This policy was adopted by the Board of Trustees on October 4, 1991, and applies to any acts or omissions occurring after that date.
Approved by the Board of Trustees October 4, 1991; Updated April 17, 2024