LEGAL CLAIMS AND SETTLEMENTS
Adopted: December 14, 1984
Amended: January 12, 1990; October 13, 1995; December 10, 2004

Subd. 1. Scope. This policy applies to all legal claims asserted by the Regents of the University of Minnesota (University), legal claims asserted against the University, legal claims asserted against the Board of Regents (Board) as a corporate body or Board members in their official capacity, and legal claims asserted against Board members, employees of the University, and other individuals when the University has agreed to provide legal defense and indemnification to them, consistent with Board and administrative policy.

Subd. 2. Delegation of Authority. Except as provided in subds. 3 and 4, the president is authorized to initiate, appeal, or settle any claim after consultation with the general counsel. The president may delegate such authority, provided that any initiation, appeal, or settlement decision by a delegate of the president must be approved by the general counsel.

Subd. 3. Reservation of Authority.The Board reserves to itself authority to initiate, appeal, or settle a claim involving a specific decision of the Board or a claim against Board members in their individual capacity.

Subd. 4. Board of Regents Litigation Review Committee. Any settlement of a claim involving payment by the University in excess of $250,000 shall be presented to the Litigation Review Committee (LRC) for approval. The president shall determine, in consultation with the general counsel, those other claims that shall be presented to the LRC for review prior to a decision to initiate, appeal, or settle, taking into account whether the claim involves one or more of the following factors:

(a) a significant change in University-wide policy;

(b) a serious conflict with University-wide policy;

(c) an unusually significant financial impact;

(d) a matter of special public interest; or

(e) Board members as named defendants in their official capacity.

The LRC is authorized to determine which claims shall be referred to the Board for review or approval.