Symposia

CSHEMA Symposia provide opportunities for professionals to learn about and discuss pertinent issues related to specified subject matter.

CSHEMA Spring Symposium 2025:
Complete Campus EHS: Puro, Toda, and Por Vida

University of Texas San Antonio

San Pedro 1, 506 Dolorosa St., San Antonio

February 26-27, 2025

Registration is OPEN!

CSHEMA Members: $225 Early Bird Rate | $275 after January 31

CSHEMA Students | UTSA Staff : $125 Early Bird Rate | $175 after January 31

Non-Members: $295 Early Bird Rate | $345 after January 31

WHAT IS COMPLETE CAMPUS EHS?

It's how you work to roll out EHS programs and initiatives on campus in a thorough manner, keeping all of your stakeholders engaged, for everyone from a small undergraduate degree-only school to a large academic medical center.

Keeping true to the geography and cultural makeup of San Antonio, Texas, the emphasis is on puro – doing it your way, toda – doing it all the way, 100% - doing it across all affected parts of the organization, and por vida – doing it in a lasting and sustainable way. We want to know how you do it!

Puro: Make the work done on your campus INNOVATIVE, UNIQUE, ORGANIC, GRASSROOTS.

Toda: Get an important project across the finish line! Identify the obstacles. Overcome and get around those challenges.

100%: Involve more than EHS! Total safety, across departments.

Por Vida: Establish continuity of programs and projects that are sustainable long-term.

SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS

Two full days of presentations
2 key note presentations
Time for networking and discussion
Social Event
Exhibitors

PRESENTATIONS ON THE AGENDA

"Trust but Verify: Accepting a new fire panel as an embedded EHS professional," Anthony Murph, Environmental Health and safety Supervisor, Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University’s contracted facilities services group informed Texas A&M EHS that there was a need for the Fire Panel in the Alkek Building (Texas A&M Institute for Biosciences and Technology [IBT]) to be upgraded to a newer model. Large systems such as those that protect schools can take one to two weeks to test the entire system. This project took 213 days. This lecture will provide insight into the 213 days following installation consisting of, repairs, upgrades, testing, and collaboration between vendors.

"Improving Safety Culture at the University of Michigan Through Accountability," Kevin Ferrell, Research Safety Culture Program Manager, University of Michigan
In 2016, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor launched a new initiative to enhance safety accountability across its laboratories, shops, and studios. This faculty-led initiative, mandated by executive leadership, aimed to foster a robust safety culture. This presentation will delve into the development and implementation of new policies and procedures, as well as the tools employed to monitor progress. We will explore the innovative structure of the program, which integrates EHS program monitoring with RASC problem-solving. Finally, we will discuss the outcomes and impact of this initiative since its inception.
"Operational Fire Response in Municipal and Campus Environments," Charles Medellin, Deputy Fire Marshal, University of Texas San Antonio
Local Fire Departments operate adjacent to Campus EHS programs - many campus EHS programs include a provision for bringing emergency services to campus and to help solve the problem of the day. Many municipal fire departments have permit and inspection processes to facilitate knowledge transfer between community fire risk exposures and the responding departments. Fire codes have provisions for vehicle access and water supply.
Our presenters will describe their experiences in municipal and civil service firefighting and how those experiences relate to finishing the job of building and maintaining the campus EHS program for solid integration with permits, inspectors, first-in engine companies, and special operations (EMS, Hazmat) companies.
"Completing the Circle: EHS Laboratory Safety for Students," Val Freeman, Laboratory Safety Program Manager, Oklahoma State University
At Oklahoma State University, the Environmental Health and Safety department has set up an outreach program targeting students on campus in laboratory classes. EHS began by developing a short presentation, short enough to take as little time away from classes as possible, but long enough to give general laboratory safety information and resources to students at the beginning of the semester in their classrooms. This is presented by EHS Laboratory Safety staff to show students the services that are available to them, not just faculty and staff.
"The Use of Social Media for EHS Education, Awareness, and Outreach at a University," Otu Inyang, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, University of Texas Arlington
This presentation will introduce one university’s approach to utilizing social media for health and safety outreach to its student population. Join us as we explore the challenges of developing and implementing the platform, the successes, lessons learned, and future opportunities.
"Implementing a Robust AED Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison," Isabel Winter, Environmental Health Specialist, University of Wisconsin Madison
Before 2023 the University of Wisconsin – Madison Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program was well managed but not serving the campus equitably. The process was long, clunky, and did not fare well due to supply chain issues. To increase the equity, efficiency and longevity of this program, we intentionally decided to standardize to an AED model, which required many partnerships across campus. Our future goals for this program include the installation of additional units in large buildings and high rises.
"Policy Groups as a means to engage Senior Leaders," Dennis Terpin, Retired Emergency Manager, University of Illinois Chicago
Higher education requires Policy Group members who can not only adapt to change but also anticipate and shape it. University Policy Groups are vested with the authority to make critical decisions. We must help them understand the importance of how an Institution of Higher Education Business Continuity Plan inter-reacts within the functional capacities of an emergency response and management plan. The cost of lost research is real. Direct costs and indirect costs are real dollars. In this session I will share how we educated our Policy Group in the value of Emergency Management Concepts.
2 Daily Key Note Presentations
(Presenters pending)

HOTEL INFORMATION

The Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk

105 South St. Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Rates: CSHEMA room block is $161 per night + tax
Book by January 22, 2025
Includes complimentary hot breakfast from 6:00 - 9:30 AM, complimentary evening drinks and snacks from 5:30 - 7:00 PM

CSHEMA Booking Link :

https://www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=10129477

The Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk is located on the San Antonio River, walking distance from shops, restaurants and entertainment. Relax in the sun on the deck of the rooftop pool, which also has two whirlpools! Formerly the Alamo National Bank, this 24-story renovated skyscraper features 50-foot ceilings, travertine flooring and stained glass windows.

This hotel is a 6 minute walk (0.2 miles) to the symposium venue, San Pedro 1.

TRAVEL

San Antonio International Airport is 15 minutes from the hotel. It serves 14 airlines flying non-stop to 45 destinations in the US, Mexico and Germany.

THINGS TO DO IN SAN ANTONIO

photos courtesy of Visit San Antonio

Experience Fun and Adventure on the River Walk

On the meandering pathway of the San Antonio River Walk, there's something for everyone! Don't miss the opportunity to take a serene riverboat cruise with Go Rio Cruises, where you'll glide beneath charming stone bridges and past enchanting gardens.

The historic Alamo, a symbol of Texas independence, is also just a short walk away. For a taste of local culture, the Arneson River Theatre often hosts live performances, while the lush gardens and art installations along the way section provide a delightful escape into nature and creativity. Find your adventure today!

https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/things-to-do/

https://www.visitsanantonio.com/things-to-do/

EXHIBITOR & SPONSOR INFORMATION

CSHEMA's corporate partners, sponsors, and exhibitors play an important part in the success of our association and our members' institutions.

CSHEMA's in-person events provide an opportunity for synergistic interactions and the development of meaningful relationships. CSHEMA symposia typically see 90 - 100 attendees over 2 full days. Exhibitors will enjoy sharing space with the attendees and ample time for interaction and networking. We would love to see your company at CSHEMA Symposium 2025 in San Antonio!

View our online Sponsorship Store

Past Symposia

2024 Symposium: All Shook Up: Electrical Safety

University of Wisconsin - Madison | April 10-11, 2024

Consider how to incorporate and encourage all manner of electrical safety at our institutions, share best practices, and learn how we can better collaborate with each other, our students, and our researchers. We discussed topics such as Facilities Trades, NRTL issues Research / Home Builts, LOTO/ArcFlash, Li-Ion Batteries, Solar / Direct Power safety, and much more.

2023 Symposium: Beyond the Bench: Field Research Safety

University of California at Santa Barbara | February 27-28, 2023

Field research is a vital component of research and education at many institutions, however relatively few institutions have dedicated programs that manage the risks associated with the unique hazards and challenges associated with these settings. As an up-and-coming area in academic EHS programs, we need your help to define best practices. Join us and share your successes, challenges, and lessons learned so we can improve all things related to field research safety.

Fall Symposium on Storytelling

Princeton University | October 11-12, 2022

Enjoy the Keynote Presentation from Brad Snyder, Paralympic swimmer and triathlete, world record holder, retired US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, and Princeton PhD candidate. Brad sustained complete vision loss while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. He is also a fellow in the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the United States Naval Academy.

Click here to watch the recording of the lecture.

Storytelling is a part of our daily lives and part of how we survived long ago: from the family stories we pass on, the books we read, the movies we watch - the list goes on! While many may think of storytelling as a form of entertainment, it is also a transformative tool for safety culture, adult learning, sense- or meaning-making, bonding and relationship building, qualitative research and incident sharing. CSHEMA’s Fall Symposium on Storytelling will explore the science, art and power of storytelling with relation to environmental health and safety and risk management programs on campuses.