Queen’s newly updated Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy (OCASP) is now available to the campus community. The document informs community members of the requirements, roles, and responsibilities related to conducting academic, research, or business travel and associated activities sanctioned by the university.

The OCASP provides a framework for risk assessment, planning, preparation, and support so off campus activities and the associated travel can be conducted as safely as possible and enables the institution’s Emergency Support Program to assist community members should an incident occur while participating in off-campus activities.

To support community members, EHS created a new website and dramatically transformed the online safety planning tool now called START — the Safe Travel Activity Registration Tool (START). START allows a quick and easy way for students, faculty and staff to register their university-sanctioned low risk off-campus activities, while continuing to facilitate the creation of a safety planning record for higher risk activities. START also enhances  the University’s ability to provide guidance/emergency support in the event of an incident.

Revisions to the OCASP were guided by the university community, having undergone a review process that considered wide-ranging feedback from campus stakeholders. The policy’s updates were supported by Queen’s Senior Leadership Team, which approved the changes on Jan. 10, 2023.

Learn more about the updated OCASP and its key revisions, as well as related tools and resources on the OCASP website. Contact OCASP@queensu.ca to sign up for an orientation session.