purpose site visit

Dashpivot article – Purpose of Site Visit Report

Purpose of Site Visit Report

What is the purpose of a site visit report.

A site visit report serves as a crucial tool in the realm of project management, bridging the gap between on-ground realities and managerial oversight.

Its primary purpose is to document firsthand observations, activities, and conditions of a specific site at a given time, offering a snapshot of the project's progress, challenges, and accomplishments.

By detailing these insights, the report ensures transparent communication with all stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making.

Moreover, it fosters accountability, as any deviations or issues highlighted can be promptly addressed.

Such reports also play an essential role in risk management, as they can identify potential problems early on, enabling proactive interventions.

In essence, a site visit report is a testament to the project's trajectory, fostering informed decisions, trust, and continuous improvement

What should be in your site visit report?

The primary objectives of a site visit report include:

• Documentation: The report provides an official record of observations, discussions, and activities that took place during the visit. It can be referred to in the future to track changes, decisions, or to verify certain events or conditions at the site on the specific visit date.
• Communication: The report effectively communicates the status and conditions of a project or site to stakeholders who weren't present during the visit. This can include senior management, clients, partners, or regulatory bodies.
• Accountability: By recording findings, deviations, or issues, the report holds involved parties accountable for addressing the identified concerns. Recommendations and action items specified in the report can set a path for corrective actions.
• Decision-Making: The documented observations and recommendations can inform subsequent decisions related to the project or site. This can pertain to budget adjustments, changes in project timelines, resource allocation, or any strategic shifts.
• Risk Management: The report can identify potential risks or hazards, leading to preemptive solutions or interventions before issues escalate.
• Tracking Progress: For ongoing projects, regular site visit reports offer a sequential record of progress. By comparing consecutive reports, stakeholders can gauge if the project is on track, if quality standards are maintained, and if milestones are achieved as planned.
• Quality Assurance: The report can highlight areas where quality standards are either met or lacking, ensuring that the final output meets the expected criteria.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: In certain industries, maintaining a detailed site visit report is a regulatory requirement. These reports can be audited or reviewed by external agencies to ensure adherence to standards, laws, or regulations.
• Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Feedback on various aspects of the project, including performance of teams, effectiveness of methods, or utility of tools and equipment, can lead to process improvements in the future.
• Building Trust: Regular, transparent, and comprehensive reports can build trust between clients, stakeholders, and the executing team, as they provide tangible evidence of commitment, progress, and challenges.

In essence, a site visit report serves as a bridge between on-ground realities and the higher-level management or decision-making entities, ensuring that all parties are well-informed and aligned.

See a completed site visit report below to see how you can tie in the purpose to the execution of the report.

Use and customise this free Site Visit Report template

Make it easy for your team to record site visit reports.

Use a standardised site visit report template to make it quick and easy for your team to record site visit reports on site.

All the fields and sections you need are pre-built into the report, which is also customisable specific to your project or location with the drag and drop form builder.

Add sections for photos and attach them directly to your report for easy referenceability.

Take attendance and keep track in your form with tables, with multiple sign on options with even QR code scanning signatures.

Create digital site visit report processes

Site visit reports are only useful if your team has access to them when they need it, to track project progress and record new site visits easily.

Use a   site visit report app so your team can capture site visit report details on site via their mobile or tablet and sync it directly back to the office once it's submitted.

Create automated workflows to plan, conduct and sign off on site visit reports, with automatic notifications for responsible parties when the next step is ready.

Share site visit reports in a single click as professionally formatted PDF or CSV so your team, or even external 3rd parties, are always up to date.

Photos taken will have automatic timestamps, geotagging and you can add photo markup to highlight important information, defects or changes.

Site diary template

Complete and organise your daily diaries more efficiently.

Meeting Minutes template

Capture, record and organise those meeting minutes.

Progress Claim template

Streamline and automate the progress claim process to get paid faster and look more professional.

Sitemate builds best in class tools for built world companies.

About Nick Chernih

Nick is the Senior Marketing Manager at Sitemate. He wants more people in the Built World to see the potential of doing things a different way - just because things are done one way doesn't mean it's the best way for you.

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8 Reasons Why Site Visits Are The Best Learning Experience

Whether you are just starting out in the field of architecture or an architect with 40 years of experience, site visits play a central role to our professional development. Most of the times, site visits take place during the construction phase of a project. It is during this stage where a team of multidisciplinary professionals physically get together to realize things previously drawn on paper in real, three-dimensional space. This long and complex process inevitably presents a series of challenges, but precisely so, it offers unique learning opportunities for architects , designers , and everyone else involved. From gaining professional knowledge to developing important life skills, here are eight reasons why site visits are the best learning experience:

1. Site visits allow for an authentic and accurate experience of the space.

While we may think we know a space or building inside out from all the overtime put into drawing plans, elevations, and sections, not to mention creating photorealistic renderings, site visits might prove that the actual space turns out looking and feeling a lot different from what we had envisioned. Physical factors such as time of day, temperature, and human traffic all affect our perception of a space or building, but the effects of these can never be conveyed sufficiently through mere two-dimensional drawings and it is by being on-site that we experience these factors at work and get an accurate understanding of the space.

2. Sometimes, site visits before the design phase of a project is crucial in helping us understand the local culture of a place.

When a project is located in a place unfamiliar to us, a site visit not only allows us to conduct site analysis, but also exposes us to the local way of life and the unique culture of the place. No amount of research in the office can beat being on-site and being physically and psychologically immersed within the environment. This is important so that we can create design solutions that are sensitive and responsive to the particular needs and characteristics of a place.

3. We learn most of the specifics of construction and construction methods on-site.

It is widely agreed among professionals that architectural education in schools rarely does a good job of exposing students to methods of construction. Schools are focused on teaching students to think conceptually and to sell their architectural designs, but when it comes to actual materials and construction, being on-site lets us witness how different materials and components come together and the processes and mechanisms involved in building. In fact, ask any professional in the field and they are likely to tell you that most of their knowledge of construction came from years of on-site experience.

4. Site visits allow us to learn from the expertise of other professionals.

Most of the times, site visits mean meeting professionals of other fields. Through our discussion of problems and solutions with professionals such as engineers, contractors, and electricians, we not only gain knowledge of other disciplines that will be helpful to our work, but more importantly see their expertise being applied in real life on the job site. Understanding aspects of a design from their perspective also helps us foresee and prevent potential problems in our design proposals.

5. Site visits expose us to concerns of safety.

Probably one of the first images that comes to mind when we speak of a construction site is that of people wearing helmets, and this shows just how important safety is on-site. When drawing or specifying a curtain wall glass panel on the computer, we do not have to personally deal with the physicality and weight of this massive material. At a site visit, however, the physical presence of large and heavy materials poses an immediate threat to our safety. An awareness of on-site safety is crucial to a smooth and successful construction process.

6. Site visits train us to think and make decisions on our feet.

When a project runs into a problem at the construction site, architects and designers often need to have discussions with other professionals to arrive at a decision on the spot. From a substitution of materials to signing an agreement, these things force us to be alert to various factors and consequences under a tight time constraint. Many of these decisions have major impacts on a project timeline and cost, so it is important to have the critical awareness and thinking skills needed to make such decisions when they are required of us.

7. Discussions and negotiations during site visits build our interpersonal and communication skills.

As different disciplines often have different methods of working, discussions and negotiations with a multidisciplinary team on-site require us to have good communication skills so that we can effectively convey our thoughts and relate to everyone involved. These conversations allow us to build interpersonal skills and learn from the various communication and working strategies of other professionals so that we become better at collaboration, management, and leadership.

8. When things do not go as planned, site visits let us understand why and how a design failed.

Sometimes, what we draw as two-dimensional plans, elevations, sections, and construction details fail to translate successfully into three-dimensional realities. It is useful to see the physical space or materials and talk with other professionals on-site to understand exactly how and why a design did not turn out the way we envisioned. Such experiences will give us the necessary foresight to prevent similar mistakes in the future projects.

Ultimately, site visits not only allow us to gain more technical and practical knowledge about materials and construction processes, but also offer opportunities to build valuable life skills that we can apply in our daily lives. Nonetheless, all these learning opportunities are only as much as we make of them. By paying more attention to the processes and complexities at a site visit, we might make our experience much more interesting and meaningful than it appears to be.

Lisa graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in interior design and a few internship experiences. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in art history and studying architectural renderings for her thesis. Her passion is thinking critically about everything architecture: from architectural movements to contemporary professional practices.

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Free Site Analysis Checklist

Every design project begins with site analysis … start it with confidence for free!

Site Visit Analysis and Report: How to conduct and evaluate your first architecture site visit

• Updated: January 2, 2024

Here we will cover everything you need to know about of how to approach your first site visit analysis for a new project, what to do when physically there, and how to eventuate and summarize the information you collect.

However before visiting for the first time we highly recommend that you carry out desktop study beforehand, as this will provide an important initial understanding of the site and generate far better results and more refined questions once there.

The desktop study will also help to identify the important items of equipment that you will need to take with you to make your trip as successful as possible. …these are mentioned below but may include a: 

• Site map (very important)
• Tape measure
• Laser distance meter

…more essential architects items here

Conducting an architecture site visit analysis

A site visit analysis is a comprehensive report that summarizes the findings of a physical inspection of a potential development site. It includes information on the site’s physical characteristics, location, surrounding area, demographic information, environmental impact, zoning regulations, traffic flow, and recommendations for development.

The report synthesizes all gathered information to provide a comprehensive understanding of the site and its potential.

What to look for?

Once there, there are a whole number of important areas and items that need to be studied and recorded, some of which would have already been identified during your desktop study, but as a starting point we’ve produced the below list of all the key areas:

We suggest that you take these with you and tick them off as they are found, so not to miss anything.

• Entrance and access points (both pedestrian and vehicle)
• Security (gates, surveillance)
• Travelling to the site (road types and suitability, safety, public transport)
• Boundary treatment (fencing, vegetation, land form, water)
• Extent of boundary (does it match the survey/OS map)
• Circulation (existing travel routes within the site)
• Noise levels (quiet and loud areas)
• Services (electric, gas, water, sewage)
• Existing buildings (condition? Relevant? Protected?)
• Existing landscape features (condition? Relevant? Protected?)
• Neighbouring buildings (local vernacular, protected?)
• Views in and out of the site (areas to screen off and areas to draw attention to)
• Tree’s and vegetation (protected and rare species)
• Ecology (any areas likely to be home to protected species)
• Orientation (sun and wind paths)
• Light levels (areas in direct sunlight, shaded areas, dappled light)
• Accessibility (disability access)
• Surrounding context (historical, heritage, conservation area, SSSI, AONB)
• Existing materials in and around the site
• Topography (site levels)
• Flood level (is it likely to flood)
• Soil and ground conditions (types and suitability)
• Existing legal agreements (where are the rights of way, covenants)
• Hazards (Electricity lines, Drainage, Telephone lines, Sub-stations)

We provide a site analysis checklist here covering all of the above that’s free to download.

Where to start

You want to begin documenting your visit as soon as you arrive, as the approach and entrance to your site are just as important as the site itself. If you’re desktop study didn’t highlight the possible routes and methods of transport to and from the site, then this needs to be recorded also.

Documenting your first impressions is vitally important, ask yourself; what do you see as you enter the site? what do you hear? what do you feel? (…what senses are the first to be triggered), you will only get one chance to do this properly and so you need to make it count!

…and don’t forget to include the location of the elements you record, when noting it down on your site map or survey. By the end of your visit, you should barley be able to read whats under all your notes …write down everything!

Moving on from first impressions, you should plan to walk around the site as least twice (as a minimum) to ensure that nothing is missed, so leave enough time to make a least two loops, noting down and photographing everything that you feel is relevant, no matter how small.

…there’s nothing worse than getting back to the studio and realizing you forgot to document something.

We like to use the check list supplied above and:

• Firstly walk around the site whilst annotating a site plan
• Secondly with a camera …photographing everything
• and thirdly with both …just in case something has been missed

This way we can focus on one task at a time, helping to ensure we gather everything we need.

In terms of a camera, and depending on your budget we suggest looking one these three options (but a phone is just as good):

• Sony DSCW800 Digital Compact Camera
• Sony DSCWX350 Digital Compact Camera
• Canon EOS 1300D DSLR Camera

It can be difficult to identify certain elements, and some may only be noticeable from a professional survey, such as underground services and precise spot levels. But approximations of such locations and heights are a good start and can serve as a reminder for further investigation.

If accessible you can of course take your own measurements and so this is where a tape measure and/or distance meter will come in handy.

Try one of these:

–  Tape measure

– Laser distance meter

What to take with you

Firstly look at the weather, you wont have a good time if your not dressed appropriately, and this applies to protecting your notes and equipment as well as yourself.

…a simple quick check, can make or break a visit, arranging to go on sunny day will also give you the best site photographs, which could also be used in future CGI’s and presentation material. 

If the site is derelict, or has potentially dangerous or hazardous elements, it is likely that you will require personal protection equipment (otherwise known as PPE) so make sure this is organised before setting off.

As a minimum you want to take with you a camera, a pen and an OS map. Google Maps can provide a temporary (though very basic) version, but a much preferred scaled version that can normally be obtained through your university or practice via such companies as:

• Digimap – digimap.edina.ac.uk
• Xero CAD – xerocad.co.uk
• CAD Mapper – cadm a pper.com (free account available)

As mentioned, you will want to make notes, and record everything you observe, experience and hear all over this map. So print out a couple of copies at a usable and convenient size.

A camera is essential in documenting the site, and the pictures taken during your visit are likely to be used on a daily basis throughout your project. So once again make sure you document and record everything.

Pictures should be taken from all distances, close zoomed-in sections of materials and textures along with shots of the site from a distance to include the area as a whole and within its context.

Note pads are important for obvious reasons, we prefer an A5 sized pad, as this is much easier to carry and hold than an A4 one.

Tape measures can be useful, but we never go on a site visit without a distance meter.

…and lastly if you’re visiting on your own, don’t forget to tell someone where you’ll be and take your phone with a charged battery.

Our site visit equipment check list looks something like this:

• Weather check
• Print out our “what to look for” checklist
• Site map (at least 2 copies)
• PPE equipment
• Scale ruler

If you are interested in trying our architecture site analysis symbols for your own site analysis recordings and presentation, then head over to our shop ( Here ).

FAQ’s about site visit analysis

What is included in a site analysis.

As discussed above, site analysis typically includes the following elements:

• Site location and context: Understanding the location of the site in relation to the surrounding area, including climate, topography, neighboring buildings, and accessibility.
• Physical characteristics: Examining the site’s physical features, such as its size, shape, soil type, vegetation, and water sources.
• Utilities and infrastructure: Assessing the availability of utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and sewer, as well as the infrastructure, such as roads and transportation.
• Environmental considerations: Analyzing the site’s potential environmental impact and assessing any potential hazards, such as flooding or soil stability.
• Zoning and land-use regulations: Reviewing the local zoning and land-use regulations to determine the types of uses and development allowed on the site.
• Cultural and historical context: Examining the cultural and historical significance of the site and its surrounding area.
• Demographic information: Analyzing the demographic information of the surrounding area, including population, income, and age.
• Traffic and pedestrian flow: Studying the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area to understand the impact on the site.

This information is used to inform the design of a building or development project, taking into account the unique characteristics and constraints of the site.

What are the steps of site analysis?

including the above, the steps involved in conducting a site analysis report typically include:

• Data Collection: Gather data and information about the site, including maps, aerial photos, zoning regulations, environmental reports, and other relevant documents.
• Site Observations: Conduct a site visit to observe and document the site’s physical and environmental conditions, such as topography, vegetation, water sources, and neighboring buildings.
• Context Analysis: Analyze the site’s location and context, including its surrounding area, access to transportation, and cultural and historical significance.
• Demographic Analysis: Study the demographic information of the surrounding area, including population, income, and age, to understand the potential market for the development project.
• Traffic and Pedestrian Flow Analysis: Study the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area to understand the impact on the site.
• Synthesis: Synthesize the information gathered in the previous steps to develop a comprehensive understanding of the site and its potential.
• Recommendations: Based on the analysis, make recommendations for the development of the site, taking into account the unique characteristics and constraints of the site.

These steps help architects and planners to gain a deeper understanding of the site and to make informed decisions about the design and development of a building or project.

Every design project begins with site analysis … start it with confidence for free!.

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Conducting a Meaningful Site Visit

A site visit can be one of the most important tools you use, as a grantmaker, in determining your ultimate funding decisions. For example, an in-person look at a potential grantee’s activities can complement a grantee’s written proposal and give you a clearer picture of their request. In fact, site visits can be one of the most interesting parts of the grantmaking process.

What makes a site visit meaningful? Careful preparation, mutually understood goals, a willingness to see the event as part of an ongoing relationship. So how can you be a "good guest" while conducting a structured, but not stifling, site visit? Here grantmakers offer some helpful advice for:

"It's not surprising to feel a little nervous about site visits. One way to orient yourself is to put yourself in the shoes of the applicant and imagine how you'd like to be treated. Often, puzzles about what to say or how to say it will become immediately clear."

— A grantmaker recalling a first experience with site visits

Managing Your Role

Since the business of making grants primarily involves establishing a relationship between the grantor and the grantee, grantmakers often conduct site visits precisely to develop firsthand relationships with leaders and organizations in the communities and fields on which they focus. As such, a site visit can serve as an open-ended interview that allows you to ask pressing questions you may have and let potential grantees discuss the things they love to do. Talking at length and in depth with applicants about their work, and making certain they understand the fundamental purposes of your grant-making program, can also sometimes lead to exciting new ideas.

It can be a mistake, though, to think of a site visit as a discrete, one-time-only event. Site visits and one-to-one conversations are more likely to be continuing activities — at least with organizations directly involved in your program areas. Consequently, you may decide to make your first site visit to some organizations before you circulate a request for proposals, as a get-acquainted step, or as an element of your overall reconnaissance. Later, another visit may be part of your consideration of the group’s proposal. If you decide to award a grant, there are likely to be other visits — within reason — down the road, either to monitor the grant or maintain good relations.

Bear in mind that few organizations turn down a funder’s request for a meeting. They may be in the midst of their busiest season, rushing to prepare a proposal for another funder, or simply overwhelmed with work — they’ll probably still set aside two hours for you. As valuable as site visits can be, therefore, it’s important to make sure you’re not imposing on the organization’s time or distracting its staff. Remember: the organization is not likely to tell you — at least at first — that your request for a meeting comes at a bad time. You need to be alert and sensitive, and hope that at some point the group feels free to be more candid with you about its schedule.

Before You Visit

If the site visit is a first contact, do some homework. If you have not yet received a proposal from the organization, visit its Web site, if one exists, or research its area of work. This preparation allows you to use the time you spend with potential grantees efficiently, to ask pertinent, informed questions, and to understand what they’re trying to accomplish.

Even if the contact isn’t a new one, prepare yourself and the grantee before the visit. Be thoughtful and clear. For example, you might explain that you want to learn more about a particular aspect of the organization’s work. In any case, let them know how much time you have, and whether there are particular people or activities you would like to see.

Formulate some preliminary questions — but be careful of coming up with a long list. Narrow it down to the three most important ones, so as not to overwhelm your host. Notify the potential grantee of your questions ahead of time. You might also suggest that the organization send you an agenda of its own for the visit.

If possible, schedule site visits at times when you can observe some type of program activity. It helps to experience the work of the potential grantee firsthand.

While it can be helpful to conduct your visit with other staff from your foundation — the added perspective may be valuable — remember that having too many additional people can make it hard to have an informative, relaxed conversation.

Be aware that a site visit is a very important event to potential grantees. They will quite likely put a lot of energy into planning it and will hope to have your full attention. Difficulties in scheduling can create a misleading impression, as one grantmaker learned: "I remember a time when one of our team had to leave after half an hour. It wasn’t disrespectful; it was just someone juggling a tough working schedule. But it seemed as though perhaps we weren’t really that interested."

During the Visit

Begin by reminding people of the reason for your visit and about your role. You may have explained these points already, but nonprofits often play host to visitors, and may not remember what you told them. Be sure they understand that you’re there not only as an interested individual, but as your organization’s representative.

Since everyone's time is scarce, you may want to focus on what you most need to know to make a good grant, and on matters that call for the prospective grantee's impressions, interpretations, and personal reflection. In other words, the site visit is not usually the best time to bring up small, detailed matters that may require the applicant to do research or analysis. It is an opportunity to get to know the organization in a more personal way than is possible on paper

As the Visit Concludes

Don't forget to use the visit as an opportunity to expand your knowledge of the broader community or field. Ask applicants for suggestions about other organizations or activities that you should be looking at, or other people you should get to know.

Leave room for excitement: surprisingly good things can happen during a site visit. "I remember one visit," notes an experienced grantmaker, "when, after about an hour-and-a-half of talk and examination of the premises, the prospective grantee deferred going to another meeting so he could fill us in on his ideas for several different possible grants. It was a lively discussion, and I think curtailing it would have curtailed the making of the grant. You have to leave room for excitement."

And a final note. If the first one or two visits start off stiffly, don't worry. It takes more than an hour or two, and often more than a single visit, to establish the kind of trusting, open relationship in which a real exchange of ideas — the "excitement" — can take place.

MORE ON THIS SUBJECT

Learning from Site Visits (Funding Community Organizing) Managing Expectations: Site Visits (Saying Yes / Saying No)

Takeaways are critical, bite-sized resources either excerpted from our guides or written by Candid Learning for Funders using the guide's research data or themes post-publication. Attribution is given if the takeaway is a quotation.

This takeaway was derived from Building Community Inside and Out .

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Site Visit or Plant Tour: How to Maximize Its Effectiveness

• December 3, 2018
• Supplier Assessment , Supplier Sourcing

We’ve talked about why and how you should do a site visit before. Even though you know a site visit is of great importance in assuring you the quality and the consistency of your future products, you may still find it hard to put it to effective use. This is all the more true if you or your team have limited experience in conducting site visits or plant tours.

For some, especially those who are looking for overseas suppliers, site visits are both time and money consuming. Especially when you don’t have a local team to help you with that.

So what can you do to ensure an effective site visit? How can you maximize the effectiveness of the plant tours?

We’ve broken the whole site visit into the following 3 parts, so you’ll have a better idea of what to do in each phase of the site visit so as to make it effective as you hope.

Before the visit

Before going straight forward to the supplier, there are things that you can do to save time for the both parties. Such preparations are of utmost important in that they set the tone for the rest of the tasks that follow.

Prioritize your goals for the site visit

First, you need to know for sure why you want to do the site visit, what accomplishments you want to achieve, who do you think you should talk to if you want to get the problem solved.

Without knowing where to focus the time and effort, it’s almost unlikely that you will see a promising outcome for the site visit.

The last thing you want to do is to make the site visit just a day tour to the factory, only to discover that the site visit is but a tiring and non-effective waste of time.

Gather the right resources

Once you’ve set the goals for your site visit, it shouldn’t be hard for you to gather the right resources to actually going to the site.

For example, you should include a quality engineer in your site visit team if one of your priorities is product quality. And you should definitely include a sourcing professional if you want to make sure the product price is not off the chart.

It is, of course, very natural for you to include as many people who have site visiting experience as you can. Because the more site visits one has done, the easier for them to maximize the effectiveness of the tours. However, with the clear goals and structure set, it’s easy for even the young, in-experienced engineers to get the most out of site visits.

Do a joint preparation

When you have the goals and team set, the next thing you do is to start preparing for the visit. And we suggest doing a joint preparation, i.e. a joint meeting between you and the potential supplier.

In this way, you won’t have to explain to your supplier what exactly are you looking for at the site and waste the precious visiting time. And your supplier can prepare the required information such as data, numbers, figures when you ask for it at the site.

In addition, you can settle down on the detail schedule for the visit and propose changes to items that are of little importance to your visit goals.

During the visit

We’ve covered in the post Select the Ideal Supplier With a Site Visit  about what questions you should as during a site visit.

Here is just a screen shot for your reference. Feel free to give it a read if you’re interested in knowing more.

After the visit

When the visit ends, it’s crucial that you summarize the visit into a form of report and then send feedback to your potential supplier.

On the one hand, the site visit report is a good way to tell how well you and your team have achieved the goals you set before the visit. In addition, the report provides an objective insight of whether the visited supplier is a good fit for your product.

On the other hand, your potential supplier could use the feedback to improve their expertise and capabilities. Even though the supplier won’t be your choice at the end, it’s still good for your business to maintain a nice, friendly relationship with more potential suppliers.

If site visits are almost impossible…

There are many cases where site visits are almost impossible to be done. For example, when your potential suppliers are located somewhere across the world; when you don’t have the right resources to assess the potential suppliers at site; when the suppliers refuse any chance of site visiting from you…

If you’re still bothered by the above problems, feel free to reach out to us, and we’d be more than happy to fix the problem for you.

We have a team of engineers with decades of experience in field; we’re located in Asia so it’s easier for us to get around; we have great relationships with hundreds of suppliers in almost any industries… In a nutshell, we’ve got you covered.

Feel free to let us know what’s bothering you, and we’ll see what we can do to help.

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Evaluation Site Visits – Seeing is Knowing

• Posted on April 3, 2019
• In Data Collection , Evaluation

Gathering evaluative information about a program or initiative often relies upon evaluators physically visiting the program’s location in order to observe program operations, to collect evidence of the program’s implementation and outcomes, and to interview staff and program participants. The empirical and observational nature of site visits offer evaluators a unique lens through which to “see” what the program actually is, and how it attempts to achieve the desired outcomes it hopes to achieve.

In their influential article, “Evaluative Site Visits: A Methodological Review,” American Journal of Evaluation, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2003, pp. 341–352, Lawrence, Keiser, and Levoie note that, “An evaluative site visit occurs when persons with specific expertise and preparation go to a site for a limited period of time and gather information about an evaluation object either through their own experience or through the reported experiences of others in order to prepare testimony addressing the purpose of the site visit.” Unlike case studies, which are of longer duration and often of greater depth, and which seek to describe in detail the instance or phenomena under study, site visits are of limited time duration, and are focused on gathering data that ultimately will inform judgement about a program’s worth/value. Site visits typically involve the use of a number of qualitative methods (e.g., individual and focus group interviews, observations, document review, etc. For more information on the kinds of data that site visits permit, see our previous blog post “Just the Facts: Data Collection.”

Michael Quinn Patton summarizes the essential elements of an evaluation site visit:

• Competence–  Ensure that site‐visit team members have skills and experience in qualitative observation and interviewing. Availability and subject matter expertise does not suffice.
• Knowledge–  For an evaluative site visit, ensure at least one team member, preferably the team leader, has evaluation knowledge and credentials.
• Preparation–  Site visitors should know something about the site being visited based on background materials, briefings, and/or prior experience.
• Site participation– People at sites should be engaged in planning and preparation for the site visit to minimize disruption to program activities and services.
• Do no harm– Site‐visit stakes can be high, with risks for people and programs. Good intentions, naiveté, and general cluelessness are not excuses. Be alert to what can go wrong and commit as a team to do no harm.
• Credible fieldwork– People at the site should be involved and informed, but they should not control the information collection in ways that undermine, significantly limit, or corrupt the inquiry. The evaluators should determine the activities observed and people interviewed, and arrange confidential interviews to enhance data quality.
• Neutrality– An evaluator conducting fieldwork should not have a preformed position on the intervention or the intervention model.
• Debriefing and feedback– Before departing from the field, key people at the site should be debriefed on highlights of findings and a timeline of when (or if) they will receive an oral or written report of findings.
• Site review– Those at the site should have an opportunity to respond in a timely way to site visitors’ reports, to correct errors and provide an alternative perspective on findings and judgments. Triangulation and a balance of perspectives should be the rule.
• Follow-up– The agency commissioning the site visit should do some minimal follow‐up to assess the quality of the site visit from the perspective of the locals on site.

Lawrence, Keiser, and Levoie argue that evaluative site visits are not merely a venue in which a range of predominately qualitative methodologies are used, but a specific kind of methodology , which is distinguished by its use of observation. “We believe site visit methodology is based on ontological beliefs about the nature of reality and epistemological beliefs about whether and how valid knowledge can be achieved. Ontologically, in order to conduct site visits the evaluator must assume that there is a reality that can be seen or sensed and described. Epistemologically, site visits are based in the belief that site visitors are legitimate, sensing instruments and that they can obtain valid information through first-hand encounters with the object being evaluated.”

Accordingly, site visits are where evaluators can get “the feel” of what a program is and does. As a result, site visits are a critical means through which evaluators gather and interpret data with which to make judgements about the value and effects of a program.

“Evaluative Site Visits: A Methodological Review,” Frances Lawrenz, Nanette Keiser, and Bethann Lavoie, American Journal of Evaluation, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2003, pp. 341–352.

See Michael Quinn Patton quoted in Editors’ Note , Randi K. Nelson and Denise L. Roselan, New Directions in Evaluation , December, 2017

“Using Qualitative Interviews in Program Evaluations”

Conducting and Using Evaluative Site Visits: New Directions for Evaluation, Number 156, February 2018

“Developmental Evaluation: Evaluating Programs in the Real World’s Complex and Unpredictable Environment”

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• Bureaus and Offices
• Contact HRSA
• Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)

FTCA Site Visit Protocol

On this page:

FTCA Site Visit Structure

Ftca site visit process overview, ftca site visit report, section i – document review checklist, section ii – sample ftca site visit agenda, section iii – sample report, section iv - resources, section v – virtual site visit resources.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) conducts Health Center Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program site visits to support its responsibility to ensure compliance with the FTCA deeming requirements found in 42 U.S.C. 233(h) and (q) with particular respect to credentialing and privileging, risk management, claims management, and quality improvement/quality assurance (QI/QA). These deeming requirements are also addressed within the annual FTCA Health Center Deeming Program Assistance Letter (PAL) , the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB) , and pertinent chapters of the Health Center Program Compliance Manual . HRSA may conduct FTCA site visits on a regularly scheduled basis, to provide information related to a deeming application, and/or as otherwise determined by HRSA to be needed or appropriate.

Factors that may prompt an FTCA site visit include, but are not limited to , the following:

• Submission of an initial FTCA deeming application;
• Documentation submitted on the FTCA deeming application that indicates possible non-compliance with deeming requirements;
• A history of repeated conditions, or current conditions, placed by HRSA on the health center’s Health Center Program grant, as documented on the health center’s associated Notice(s) of Award 1 ;
• The need for follow-up based on prior site visit findings or other identified issues; and/or
• A history of medical malpractice claims.

FTCA site visits are distinct from Health Center Program Operational Site Visits (OSVs) under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. FTCA site visits enable HRSA to objectively assess and verify the implementation of FTCA deeming requirements and provide technical assistance (TA) to health centers as needed and appropriate. In contrast, OSVs assess a health center’s compliance with Health Center Program requirements described in the Health Center Program Compliance Manual. 2 Health centers that are currently FTCA deemed or applying for initial FTCA deeming may also be assessed during an OSV for compliance with FTCA Program credentialing and privileging, risk management, claims management, and quality improvement/quality assurance (QI/QA) deeming requirements.

To prepare for an FTCA site visit, HRSA encourages all health centers to review the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB) , the annual FTCA Health Center Deeming PAL  and relevant chapters (e.g., chapters 5, 10, and 21) of the Health Center Program Compliance Manual .

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The FTCA site visit team consists of both HRSA staff and consultants. During an FTCA site visit, the team will typically assess whether the health center has:

• Implemented appropriate policies and procedures to reduce the risk of malpractice and the risk of lawsuits arising out of any health or health-related functions performed by the entity;
• Reviewed and verified the professional credentials, references, claims history, fitness, professional review organization findings, and licensure status of its physicians and other licensed or certified health care practitioners, and, where necessary, has obtained the permission from these individuals to gain access to this information; and
• Should a history of claims exist, fully cooperated with the Attorney General in defending against any such claims and either has taken, or will take, any necessary corrective steps to assure against such claims in the future.

HRSA uses the deeming requirements found in 42 U.S.C. 233(h) and (q), as implemented in the FTCA regulations in 42 CFR part 6, the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual, and the annual FTCA Health Center Deeming PAL as the basis for determining whether health centers have demonstrated compliance with the statutory deeming requirements of the FTCA Health Center Program. Consultants and/or HRSA staff also may share best practice recommendations or TA on various areas observed during the site visit.

HRSA primarily conducts FTCA site visits between the months of May and October, although they may be conducted at any time throughout the year. Generally, health centers that have been selected for an FTCA site visit will be notified at the beginning of the calendar year. However, in the event that an FTCA site visit is scheduled due to an emergent need (such as a patient safety concern arising from issues with credentialing and privileging, risk management or QI/QA), HRSA may schedule a site visit with the health center at any time.

Once on site, the health center can expect the team to conduct document reviews, staff and board interviews and facility tours depending on schedules and availability. FTCA site visits are generally conducted in a 2.5-day timeframe. All details are discussed prior to the site visit during the pre-site visit call. The steps below include pre-site and on-site planning activities during a typical FTCA Site Visit.

Pre-Site Activities

• HRSA staff notifies selected health center Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Project Officer (PO) about their health center’s selection.
• HRSA will assemble a site visit team to conduct the FTCA site visit. The team generally consists of a HRSA staff member and two consultants.
• HRSA staff will coordinate and schedule a pre-site visit call with the health center and site visit team to introduce the site visit process and clarify roles, responsibilities, and logistics.
• Consultants will request specific documents from the FTCA Document Review Checklist as noted in Section I below, for review prior to the visit.
• During the call, consultants will work with the health center to identify appropriate staff to be interviewed onsite.
• The health center will update the FTCA Site Visit Agenda as noted in Section II below and return requested documents to HRSA staff. HRSA will confirm receipt of documents and follow up as needed.

On-Site Activities

• While on site, the site visit team will review the previously requested health center policies and procedures pertinent to credentialing and privileging, risk management, claims management, and QI/QA with the grantee. This review typically focuses on questions that may have arisen during the team’s review of the documents prior to arriving on site.
• The site visit team will follow the finalized FTCA Site Visit Agenda as noted in Section II below, while reviewing documents, conducting interviews and touring facilities to ensure tasks are completed on time and within the 2.5-day timeframe.
• During the site visit, the site visit team will utilize the FTCA Health Center Site Visit Protocol to conduct the on-site analysis. Possible areas of deficiency are identified using the annual FTCA Health Center Deeming PAL, the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual, the annual Health Center FTCA Deeming Application and pertinent chapters of the Health Center Program Compliance Manual (e.g., chapters 5, 10, and 21) to assess and verify implementation of FTCA deeming requirements.
• Any identified areas of deficiency are listed in the FTCA Site Visit Report (see below for additional details regarding the report process).
• The FTCA site visit will conclude with an exit conference where the site visit team will present any site visit findings to health center staff. At this time, the health center staff will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage in review and discussion of the site visit team’s findings.

HRSA will develop and share an FTCA site visit report with the health center, typically within 4-6 weeks of the site visit. The report will convey the site visit findings and determinations regarding the health center’s implementation of FTCA deeming requirements.

The report will include both findings of non-compliance, if any, as well as suggestions for improvement. Findings of non-compliance will not affect a health center’s current calendar year FTCA deeming status. However, health centers that are found to be non-compliant with Health Center Program requirements, specifically credentialing and privileging and/or QI/QA, may be subject to enforcement actions under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, at 45 CFR part 75. These enforcement actions are further described in the Health Center Program Compliance Manual, specifically, Chapter 2: Health Center Program Oversight. In addition, any areas of non-compliance still present at the time of the subsequent calendar year FTCA deeming cycle may result in a negative deeming determination.

The FTCA site visit report will include a description of health center actions required to comply with FTCA deeming requirements and cure any identified deficiencies. The report will note specific dates or deadlines for submission of information and/or documentation to HRSA.

The consolidated Document Review Checklist contains documents used to assess compliance with FTCA program requirements during the FTCA site visit. While on-site, the consultant(s) may request additional documentation and information. The consultants may also ask to speak to specific staff members that work in each of the areas listed below.

Many of the documents addressed in this section are requested in advance of the site visit in order for the site visit team to best service the health center. The lead consultant will reach out to the health center to request specific pre-site visit documents. Notification of these pre-site visit documents will occur on or before the pre-site visit call with the health center. Pre-site visit documents will be transmitted to the identified team electronically by the health center. Health centers have varying names for different policies and procedures. Please review the documents and follow up with the site visit team if you need clarification to determine which of your health center documents would be most appropriate. In general, the health center is encouraged to prepare any documents related to the areas of review (risk management, QI/QA, credentialing and privileging, and claims management) in order to demonstrate evidence of health center compliance.

Risk Management Requested Documents

Health center provides pre-site visit.

• Risk Management Policy and Operating Procedures
• Annual Risk Management Report to the governing board. This is the comprehensive report that covers clinical risk management issues including but not limited to, risk management goals, progressing in meeting goals, completed risk management activities, proposed activities, completed assessments, number of incidents, and trainings.
• Quarterly Risk Management Assessments (within the past 12-24 months)
• Minutes of Risk Management meetings (within the past 12-24 months)
• Staffing HIPAA (Privacy) Policy
• Medical Records Retention Policy
• Infection Control Policies and Procedure
• Sterilization Policies and Procedures
• Adverse Occurrence Policy or Incident Management Policy
• Patient Complaint Policy and Procedure
• Safety Protocols Policy and Procedures (i.e., Sharps use/disposal procedures and Emergency plans)

Health Center Provides On-Site

• Patient Satisfaction Survey Results
• If applicable, active and resolved patient complaints
• Medical Record Documentation and Completeness Standards
• Medical Record Archiving Procedures

Risk Management Training Requested Documents

• Risk Management Training Plan (This plan outlines the trainings that will be required for the current calendar year, health center staff/provider types required to take the trainings, the date the training will occur, the deadline to complete the training. In addition, the plan should outline the process for tracking training progress, and the tools used to ensure adherence.)
• Record of governing board risk management training (within the past 12 months)
• Record of staff risk management and safety training (within the past 12 months)
• Risk Management Training documentation (Including but not limited to training plans, policies and procedures, Sign - in sheets or other tracking documentation.)

Tracking Requested Documents

• Walk-in Patients Policy
• Specialty Referral Tracking Policy
• Hospitalization Tracking Policy
• ER Tracking Policy
• Diagnostic Tracking Policy (x-ray, labs) and either log or workflow regarding closing loop of patient lab results from health center back to the patient
• No Show Appointments Policy and Follow-up
• Phone Triage Policy
• Urgent Care Visit Triage Policy and Procedure
• Specialist Referral Tracking Log (or other means to demonstrate referral tracking and follow-up)
• Hospital and ER Referral Tracking Log (or other means to demonstrate tracking and follow-up)
• Diagnostic Tracking Log (or other means to demonstrate tracking and follow-up)

Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance (QI/QA) Requested Documents

• QI/QA Plan and/or policy(ies) that establish the QI/QA program
• QI/QA Committee Meeting Minutes (within the last 12-24 months)
• Board Minutes (six most current governing board minutes)
• Health center bylaws
• Governing board roster
• Sample clinical performance reports presented to the QI/QA Committee(s) and Board (most recent)
• Minutes of provider staff meetings (within the past 6 months)
• Clinical guidelines and references used to develop guidelines/protocols, ( i.e., UpToDate.com specialty guidelines, Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Academy of Family Practitioners, etc.)
• Clinical protocols

Credentialing and Privileging Requested Documents

• List of clinical staff members with indicated professional designation including (but not limited to) relevant credentialing/privileging information, name, and FTE status
• Provider Contracts, Agreements and Subrecipient Arrangements (if applicable based on service delivery methods on Form 5A)
• Credentialing and Privileging Policies and Procedures
• If applicable, contract or agreement with Credentialing Verification Organization (CVO) or other entity if used to perform credentialing functions, such as primary source verification, on behalf of the health center
• Peer review procedures or other applicable mechanism(s) (results to be available on site)
• Health center organizational chart(s) with name of key management staff

Credentialing and Privileging files available for examination (specific files to be pulled by health center will be determined by consultant team on-site)

• Documentation the governing board or designee has approved the staff members who are credentialed or re-credentialed and privileged

Claims Management Requested Documents

Policies and procedures for internal handling, analyzing, and tracking claims or potential claims

• Document(s) showing evidence the health center informs patients, using plain language, it is a deemed federal Public Health Service employee via its website, promotional materials, and/or within area(s) of the health center visible to patients
• Claims files for all potential and actual claims

Creation of Site Visit Agenda

When creating the agenda for an FTCA site visit, the goal is to work in coordination with the health center in a flexible and collaborative manner. The FTCA site visit agenda is created based on a standard template that is utilized for all FTCA site visits and from the recommendations and availability of staff that is submitted by the health center. Prior to the site visit, an FTCA staff member will e-mail a copy of the FTCA agenda template to the health center contact. The health center will edit the agenda in the following ways:

• Example: In circumstances where the facility tour cannot be accomplished on the first day or from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., the health center can reschedule the tour to another date or time.
• Please note that the meeting with the governing board does not include other health center staff or health center management.
• While it is nice to have governing board members attend in person, it is acceptable for members to attend via telephone, skype, or any other means of telecommunication that the health center has available.
• Risk Manager
• Quality Coordinator
• Chief Medical Officer
• Claims Manager
• Credentialing Officer and Human Resource Manager
• Other staff that the health center determines has an integral role in any of the areas that will be reviewed by the site visit team

Please Note: During the site visit, schedules may change or certain sessions may run longer than intended. In the event that there are required changes, the FTCA staff and the site visit consultants will keep an open line of communication and make any needed adjustments.

Sample FTCA Site Visit Agenda

The site visit report will identify HRSA/FTCA compliance determinations for each area of review (credentialing, privileging, risk management, QI/QA, and claims management). FTCA program requirement issues are monitored with an action plan as noted below in the Sample Compliance Actions section. The site visit team may also identify performance improvement opportunities. Federal representatives and consultants will engage health center staff onsite about areas of improvement as identified during the review process.

Download Sample Report (PDF)

If your organization is a Federally Qualified Health Center, please email [email protected] to request access to ECRI Clinical Risk Management resources. A sample of the tools and resources available through ECRI are listed below. Please visit www.ecri.org or call 610-825-6000 ext. 5891 for more information.

Site Visit Preparation Resources

• Federal Tort Claims Act Site Visit Training for Health Centers Presentation (PDF)  | Recording  | Transcript (PDF)
• BPHC Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Action Plan for Health Centers Quick Reference Guide (QRG) (PDF)
• New FTCA Site Visit and Health Center OSV Reference Guide (PDF)

Credentialing and Privileging and Peer Review Tools and Resources

• Credentialing Resource Collection (includes sample credentialing policies, step-by-step processes, credentialing application packet and flowcharts, and more)
• Credentialing and Privileging Guide for Health Centers (PDF - 13 bytes)
• Get Safe: Back to Basics: Effective Credentialing
• Get Safe: Credentialing and Privileging Non-Physician Providers and Clinical Staff
• Get Safe: Assessing Clinical Competence
• Get Safe: Peer Review Improves Patient Safety and Quality of Care
• Get Safe: Effective Processes for Granting Clinical Privileges

Risk Management Tools and Resources

• Risk Management Resource Collection (includes sample plan, checklists, dashboard, risk management training tools, risk assessment tools, and more)
• Test Tracking and Follow-Up Toolkit (includes sample policy, logs, and more)
• Ambulatory Care Risk Management Certificate Program
• E-Learn Courses for Continuing Education Credit
• Get Safe: Developing a Risk Management Training Program
• Get Safe: Handling Patient Complaints: Feedback for Quality Improvement
• Practice Alert: Conducting Risk Assessments: A Checklist

Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Tools and Resources

• Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance Resource Center (includes sample QI plans, meeting agendas and minutes, program checklists, and more)
• Webinar: Data-Driven Quality Improvement
• Webinar: A Measure of Quality: Implementing a QI/QA Program
• Webinar: The Use of EHRs for Quality Improvement
• Virtual Conference: Continuous Quality Improvement: Learning from Events
• Get Safe: Employing Data-Driven Quality Improvement Measures
• Get Safe: Using Valid Quality Improvement (QI) Methodologies

Claims Management Tools and Resources

• Event Reporting Resource Center
• Event Response Resource Center
• Infographic: Proactive Management of Potential Claims (PDF - 13 bytes)
• Virtual Conference: After an Event: Understanding the Claims Process
• Virtual Conference: After an Event: Consider the Patient, Provider, and Practice
• Supplement for FTCA Virtual Site Visits
• FTCA Virtual Site Visits Overview

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Columbia faculty, students continue protests; police order dispersal of gathering at UCLA: Updates

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on campus protests for Wednesday, May 1. For the latest news, view our live updates file for Thursday, May 2.

NEW YORK − Hundreds of faculty and graduate student workers rallied on a sunny Wednesday afternoon outside Columbia University’s only open entrance, protesting the university’s decision hours earlier to send police on campus and arrest more than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Protesters held signs, including “no cops on campus,” as police entered and exited the campus gates just feet away. Others held signs calling for university President Minouche Shafik to resign. Faculty members said access was heavily restricted, as campus was closed for a second day in the period before finals, open only to students living on campus and essential workers.

The NYPD announced almost 300 arrests had taken place Tuesday at Columbia and City College − hours before Los Angeles police in riot gear swept onto UCLA's campus to break up a violent melee between dueling protesters as opposition to Israel's war in Gaza continued to roll through universities across the nation.

Dozens of the New York arrests involved demonstrators removed from an administration building at Columbia, where officers also took down encampments that had been the epicenter of the protests nationwide.

"Students and outside activists breaking Hamilton Hall doors, mistreating our Public Safety officers and maintenance staff, and damaging property are acts of destruction, not political speech," Shafik said in a statement Wednesday. She added that many students felt unwelcome on campus because of the disruption and antisemitic comments made by some protesters.

At City College, affiliated with City University of New York, officials requested NYPD assistance after the college said students and "un-affiliated external individuals" refused to leave. The school issued a statement saying students have a right to demonstrate peacefully but that police were called in because of "specific and repeated acts of violence and vandalism, not in response to peaceful protest."

About 1,200 people in southern Israel were killed and more than 200 taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The Israeli retaliatory assault has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and obliterated much of the enclave's infrastructure. The humanitarian crisis has fueled outrage on some U.S. campuses and spurred demands for an end to investment in Israeli companies and amnesty for student protesters.

Developments:

∎ New Hampshire State Police said personnel were at the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College on Wednesday night "in response to illegal activity and at the request of local law enforcement." At the University of New Hampshire, police arrested 10 to 20 pro-Palestinian protesters who started setting up an encampment after a rally. Officers at Dartmouth College cleared out the final tents at the campus encampment shortly before 11:40 p.m., its student newspaper reported .

∎ Several hundred protesters gathered Wednesday for a peaceful demonstration on Ohio State University. School officials had locked up some buildings in anticipation of the demonstration. Unlike last week's protest, which led to almost 40 arrests, the crowd began dispersing around 9 p.m. and the demonstration ended before 10 p.m.

∎ Columbia Provost Angela Olinto said all academic activities at the school's main campus for the rest of the semester, including final exams, will be held remotely, with some minor exceptions.

∎ Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he supports the strong law enforcement response unleashed on protesters at the University of Georgia and Emory University in Atlanta. “Send a message,'' he said. "We are not going to allow Georgia to become the next Columbia University.”

∎ Protesters and police clashed at the University of Wisconsin in Madison when officers broke up an encampment there Wednesday. Video from the scene showed some protesters being pinned to the ground.

∎ Tulane University said at least 14 protesters were arrested from the "illegal encampment" the school said was dominated by protesters "unaffiliated with our community."

Police order dispersal of large pro-Palestinian gathering at UCLA

Police ordered a large group of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators to leave or face arrest late Wednesday, a night after violence erupted at the encampment by counter-protestors.

Video posted on social media showed counterdemonstrators battering a makeshift barricade around pro-Palestinian protesters at the Los Angeles campus. The Los Angeles Police Department said it responded to UCLA's request to restore order "due to multiple acts of violence within the large encampment" on the campus.

The Los Angeles Times reported police did not intervene for more than an hour after arriving as counterdemonstrators wearing black outfits and white masks − some armed with metal pipes and sticks − repeatedly tried to breach the perimeter of the encampment while campers pushed back and several fights broke out.

Los Angeles police said in a statement Wednesday that officers made no arrests and did not use force in its response to the UCLA campus Tuesday night. The department also noted that no officers were injured.

UCLA canceled Wednesday classes and Chancellor Gene Block, who blamed the violence on a "group of instigators'' who attacked the encampment, said the student conduct process has been initiated and could lead to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

The Times also reported University of California President Michael Drake told the Board of Regents that 15 people were injured in the overnight fracas, and he's ordering an independent review of the events, including how UCLA handled them.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the violence, saying in a statement , "The right to free speech does not extend to inciting violence, vandalism, or lawlessness on campus. Those who engage in illegal behavior must be held accountable for their actions − including through criminal prosecution, suspension, or expulsion.''

The Jewish Federation Los Angeles issued a statement saying it was "appalled" at the violence, which did not "represent the Jewish community or our values." But the statement also said the UCLA administration was at fault for allowing an environment that made students feel unsafe.

UCLA students barricade themselves in courtyard in tense protest

Hundreds of students at UCLA barricaded themselves in a courtyard between two campus buildings Wednesday, using sheets of plywood, planks, ropes, and tents to block the doors leading from the buildings into the outside area.

The mood was anxious. Sporadic announcements over a loudspeaker informed students they were part of an illegal settlement and would face consequences if they remained. In response, the crowd chanted: “We’re not leaving, we’re not leaving.”

“I’m terrified, obviously, I think everybody is,” said 21-year-old student Aidan Doyle. “But we’re going to stay as long as we possibly can, until we’re being physically removed.”

Thousands of students were spread out in the areas directly outside the main protest. Organizers shouted over loud speakers that they didn’t need any more supplies as piles of protective equipment, pizza and Gatorade grew at the main entrance to the camp.

On Tuesday night, the camp was attacked by a group of violent counter-protesters, who fired chemical agents and fireworks into the protestors and assaulted dozens of people.

– Will Carless

Columbia faculty members protest decision to bring in police

Some of faculty and graduate student workers rallying outside Columbia's gates wore orange safety vests that said “faculty,” which they donned days earlier to help protect students in the encampment. 

“There is not a single university left in Gaza, and I bet a lot of you feel there is not a university here in Morningside Heights,” Joseph Hawley, an associate professor of classics, told gatherers, referring to the neighborhood around the school. “But I’m here to tell you the university is here on this sidewalk.”

Barricades still lined city streets outside Columbia’s campus as police officers stood watch. Shafik has asked the New York Police Department to remain on campus until May 17, two days after graduation.

Mana Kia, an associate professor, read a draft statement from the Columbia chapter of the American Association of University Professors saying members "unequivocally condemn President Shafik, the Columbia board of trustees and other senior administrators involved in the decision to call in the NYPD and clear the encampment of student protesters." The statement said the association has "no confidence in the administration."

Organizer says 'ordinary people,' not agitators behind protests

Less than three hours before a huge deployment of New York City police officers broke up an encampment and retook a building at Columbia on Tuesday night, Mayor Eric Adams made a forceful case that the pro-Palestinian protest at the school had been hijacked by "outside agitators'' bent on sowing chaos.

Those involved in pushing for the movement off-campus disagree, saying it belongs to regular folks trying to raise awareness to the Palestinians' plight.

Manolo De Los Santos, an organizer with The People’s Forum, said those joining the protests alongside students are just “ordinary New Yorkers.”“The power of this moment is that it’s everyone coming together,” he said. “It’s health care workers, it’s teachers, it’s city workers. It’s ordinary people who feel so strongly.”   

‘Never felt this much tension on campus,' UNH student says

Police arrested pro-Palestinian protesters who started setting up an encampment in front of the University of New Hampshire's Thompson Hall Wednesday night.

UNH Police Chief Paul Dean estimated between 10 to 20 protesters were arrested after a rally led to demonstrators attempting to set up an encampment at the state’s flagship university, drawing local and New Hampshire State Police. Some demonstrators shouted at officers, calling them "cowards" and chanting "free Palestine."

The peaceful rally lasted until around 6:30 p.m. Then, Dean said protesters rushed in to form an encampment and attempted to barricade their tents. Leftover tents and items on Thompson Hall's lawn were removed by police around 9 p.m., loaded onto a truck as dozens of students watched. 

Shane Tilton, a sophomore who lives in a nearby residence hall, said he walked over to observe after hearing the commotion. He watched from beneath the Thompson Hall arches as the encampment was removed from the most well-known gathering spot on campus.

“I’ve never felt this much tension on campus,” Tilton said. “I feel like there’s a lot of tension. From my perspective, it seems like the cops don’t have much to do here. They seemed like they were here to jump at this opportunity and see some action.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire condemned police’s actions Wednesday night in Durham and at a similar protest at Dartmouth College in Hanover.

“Freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate are foundational principles of democracy and core constitutional rights," said Devon Chaffee, executive director of the state ACLU. "We urge university and government leaders to create environments that safeguard constitutionally protected speech."

– Ian Lenahan and Deb Cram, Portsmouth Herald

'Intifada' chants by some protesters are 'horribly upsetting'

Dozens of protesters gathered Wednesday in and around Fordham University’s Leon Lowenstein Center in Manhattan and established an encampment. The group is demanding the university divest from all companies “complicit in the Israeli occupation and ongoing siege,” according to a statement from the Fordham for Palestine Coalition.

As the demonstration grew throughout the afternoon, it also attracted a handful of onlookers and opponents who occasionally shouted pro-Israel remarks as they passed. Asa Kittay and Carly Connors said they were in class down the street when they heard demonstrators chanting “Intifada,” an Arabic word for uprising or rebellion. Kittay, who held up a tablet with an image of the Israeli flag, said it was “horribly upsetting.”“I believe that these two states can co-exist peacefully,” Connors said. “I do not believe in an intifada. That is not very anti-genocide.” John Lefkowitz, who attended the protest with friends who go to Fordham, said he believes the demonstrations are sometimes incorrectly characterized as antisemitic by people who are uninformed about the position of anti-Zionism.“It’s often told that Jews should feel unsafe in pro-Palestine circles. As a Jew, I’ve never felt unsafe in a pro-Palestinian circle,” he said. “These people are great, they’re not anti-semites.”

Back to the future: Columbia a focal point again in protest history

The descent of police on Hamilton Hall at Columbia University outfitted in full riot gear and enforcing mass arrests Tuesday night fell on the same date and place police cracked down on antiwar protesters in 1968. Some fear the clash heralds a similar outcome at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where political leaders are emboldened to sic the cops on demonstrators ever more intent on showing up.“I don’t think it’ll keep anyone from Chicago, it might even inspire more people to come,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC and the national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network.Democrats already feared a repeat of the chaos from 56 years ago where police and demonstrators clashed, drawing all eyes away from the convention.At the crackdown at Columbia April 30, 1968, police arrested over 700 people and over 100 injuries were reported, according to a Columbia University Libraries publication. Police arrested almost 300 people Tuesday between Columbia and City College, according to the city’s top cop.

– Michael Loria

Arraignments from first arrests at New York universities begin

Late Wednesday night, the first arrests from the protests at Columbia University and the City College of New York began to be arraigned at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, the same building where former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is underway.

Outside the court’s arraignment part, dozens of the protesters’ supporters gathered in the halls, many of them wearing keffiyehs. The mood was jubilant, and many were chatting or conferring with each other in small groups.

When one protester exited the courtroom after his arraignment, he was quickly swarmed by friends and dropped to the floor in a brief moment of celebration.

That protester, who was at the City College demonstrations, had been charged with assaulting a police officer, a felony, and resisting arrest. However, the prosecutor handling his case recommended to the judge that he be released from jail, given that police “continue to investigate” the incident.

Arrests across U.S.: Campus protests across the US result in arrests by the hundreds. But will the charges stick?

– Asher Stockler, The Journal News

NYU encampment stays in place after others in city were torn down

The day after other city schools saw violent clashes with police, the encampment at NYU's lower Manhattan campus stood untouched. Punctuated by faded chalk reading "End Jewish and Palestinian hate," the collection of tents and chairs took up about one city block near 181 Mercer Street, where the university's Paulson Center is located. 

Fenced-off and guarded by a smattering of campus security, the encampment was bracing for hot weather with some protesters carrying umbrellas to block out the sun and one arriving with large bags of ice. Demonstrators needed to present a school ID to enter the encampment. The barricades held signs reading, "Fund our education, not the occupation" and listing the protesters' demands, which include divestment and closing NYU's Tel Aviv campus.

The shadow of Tuesday's mass arrests and the forced removal of encampments on the other end of the island at Columbia and City College of New York was evident. Just outside the barricades, a group of demonstrators huddled to practice safety tactics.

− Anna Kaufman  

New York students continue protests day after mass arrests

Hundreds of demonstrators at Columbia University and City College of New York gathered Wednesday evening a day after administrators from both universities called police in riot gear on the protesters.

“Our encampment is what it could look like to be liberated,” Hadeeqa Arzoo, a City College student, said, as several cars honked in support while she led chants of “Free Palestine.” “So I will continue to cultivate these spaces of liberation within the belly of the beast. That is resistance.”

Even if both schools no longer had encampments, demonstrators promised to continue their activism in support of Palestinians and in opposition to schools’ investments in Israel.

“There is not a single student-led uprising in history met with severe state-sanctioned violence that did not end up being right,” Maryam Alwan, a Columbia student organizer, said. She likened their cause — and police's response — to the civil rights movement and Black Lives Matter protests, including allegations of outside agitators and property damage.

As the sun fell outside City College’s campus in West Harlem, several dozen police officers surrounded the protesters standing inside barricades. The rally, which included two Islamic prayers, would continue into the night before students returned to Columbia, some walking down the valley and back up the hill to the other campus.

– Eduardo Cuevas

UT-Dallas confirms 17 arrests hours after encampment set up

The University of Texas at Dallas confirmed law enforcement officers arrested over a dozen people hours after pro-Palestinian student demonstrators constructed an encampment Wednesday.

UT-Dallas spokesperson Brittany Magelssen told USA TODAY that 17 people were arrested on criminal trespassing charges as of 5 p.m. local time Wednesday after university officials gave written notice to remove the tents. Magelssen said UT-Dallas requested outside law enforcement officers to assist. 

“Individuals may peacefully assemble in the common outdoor areas of campus to exercise their right to free speech, but they may not construct an encampment or block pathways. In the last six months, there have been several peaceful protests on the UT Dallas campus,” Magelssen said. "The UT Dallas Police Department and area law enforcement partners are continuing to monitor the situation."

The UT-Dallas chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine said in a social media post students began setting up the "Gaza Liberation Plaza" encampment at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“We reject our university’s complicity in profiting off the genocide. We will continue to escalate and put pressure on our university until UTD/UTIMCO divest from war profiteers and Palestine is free,” the student organization said early Wednesday.

High school students joining the protest movement

The proliferation of antiwar protests in college campuses across the U.S. is filtering down to the younger academic levels , and some of the grown-ups are not happy about it.

A sit-in planned for Wednesday at a Chicago prep school is the latest among high school demonstrations showing support for embattled Palestinians in Gaza. On Monday, about 100 high school students in Austin, Texas,  walked out of their classes in protest . Last week, students in western Washington state similarly expressed their objection to the U.S. backing Israel's military efforts in Gaza.

"I'm protesting against a government that is actively hurting people just because of where they were born and what language they speak," Pia Ibsen, a senior at McCallum High School in Austin, told USA TODAY. Ibsen helped organize a walkout and left class for about an hour and a half.

Some school and government officials have tried to stop the protests, arguing they create a hostile environment for Jewish students. That was the case last week when two county commissioners in New Jersey demanded a school district's superintendent cancel a pro-Palestinian walkout at East Regional High in Voorhees Township. The protest was replaced by a rally for human rights.

− Cybele Mayes-Osterman and Kayla Jimenez

UAW members hope presence at protest will 'move the needle'

In addition to the campus protests, hundreds of people bearing pro-Palestinian signs and t-shirts gathered at New York City’s Foley Square on Wednesday afternoon for a march and rally led by labor organizers on International Worker’s Day.

Participants included Brian Sullivan, 45, a member of the United Auto Workers whose local chapter represents social workers. Sullivan said seeing labor organizers come out in such large numbers could help “really move the needle.”

“UAW endorsed Joe Biden and hopefully he feels some exposure here, that if he doesn’t do what’s right and what the UAW members are asking for, he risks that endorsement,” Sullivan said.

Jeremy Montano, another UAW member who works in the legal field, said the recent “explosion of interest” in the conflict in Gaza, particularly on college campuses, has also given him some hope. “Obviously it’s balanced out with a lot of despair about what’s actually happening in Gaza,” said Montano, 37. “But there’s been a little bit of a source of hope that maybe longer term things might change.”

Almost 300 protesters arrested in NYC; student group says some were injured

New York City police made 119 arrests at Columbia University and 173 at City College in Tuesday night's crackdowns on protesters, Commissioner Edward Caban said Wednesday. Charges range from trespassing to criminal mischief to burglary, and the breakdown of students to non-students facing charges was not yet available, he said.

Police said there were no injuries, although CUNY for Palestine issued a statement saying one student suffered a broken ankle, two had teeth broken and others received burns from pepper spray used by police during the clash.

Mayor Eric Adams said drones and encryption radios used at Columbia provided police with the element of surprise when they retook Hamilton Hall, adding that "professionals at radicalizing" had influenced the student protesters and co-opted the protest but without providing details.

Officers climbed into Hamilton Hall, which protesters had occupied earlier Tuesday, through a second-story window. Within three hours Tuesday night, they had retaken the building, NYPD said.

"It was about external actors hijacking a peaceful protest and influencing students to escalate," Adams said. "We cannot allow what should be a lawful protest turn into a violent spectacle that serves no purpose."

Fordham, another NYC university, establishes encampment

Outside Fordham University’s Leon Lowenstein Center building on Wednesday, another encampment sprung up. Students, faculty and community members surrounded by law enforcement officers and newly erected barricades chanted “Free, free Palestine” and “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.” Inside, demonstrators including current and former students milled around their tents, played drums, banged on windows and held up signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Divest genocide funds” for passersby to see.

Julie Norris, a 27-year-old Fordham alumni, said she arrived before 8 a.m. Wednesday to help establish the encampment. Norris, who spoke to USA TODAY on the phone from inside the Lowenstein Center, estimated about 30 people were inside with her and said they plan to stay until their demands are met.

“The students can’t be stopped,” she said. “We saw intense repression against students on other campuses yesterday, and this morning students are ready to stand back up. There’s going to be no business as usual until Palestine is free.”

Northwestern, Brown reach deal: Make pact with student demonstrators to curb protests

Some campus protesters cut deals, claim victory

Some student activists who pitched tents and camped on university lawns to protest Israel's military attacks in Gaza have begun to declare victory after hammering out agreements with school administrators.  Northwestern University  just outside Chicago became the first U.S. school to publicly announce a deal on Monday. On Tuesday, Brown University protesters broke camp after President Christina Paxson said the Rhode Island school will bring divestment demands to a vote. Organizers hope the deals set a new precedent for protest encampments around the U.S. and show a way to find common ground without using force.

“What these students have done is truly, truly historical,” Summer Pappachen, a graduate student and organizer of the Northwestern encampment, told USA TODAY on Tuesday amid cleanup of the lawn students held for days. “We have been able to achieve (our goals) while keeping students safe.”

− Michael Loria

Columbia building cleared: Police storm into building held by pro-Palestinian protesters

What are college protests across the US about?

The  student protesters  opposed to Israel's military attacks in Gaza say  they want their schools to stop funneling endowment money  to Israeli companies and other businesses, like weapons manufacturers, that profit from the war in Gaza. In addition to divestment, protesters are calling for a cease-fire, and student governments at some colleges have also passed resolutions in recent weeks calling for an end to academic partnerships with Israel. The protesters also want the U.S. to stop supplying funding and weapons to the war effort.

More recently, amnesty for students and professors involved in the protests has become an issue. Protesters want protections amid threats of disciplinary action and termination for those participating in demonstrations that violate campus policy or local laws.

− Claire Thornton

Contributing: Reuters

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House passes antisemitism bill with broad bipartisan support amid campus arrests

The House passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to combat antisemitism as pro-Palestinian protests roil colleges across the U.S.

The measure passed 320-91. Twenty-one Republicans and 70 Democrats voted against it.

The bill, titled the Antisemitism Awareness Act , would mandate that the Education Department adopt the broad definition of antisemitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, an intergovernmental group, to enforce anti-discrimination laws.

The international group defines antisemitism as a "certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." The group adds that "rhetorical and physical manifestations" of antisemitism include such things as calling for the killing or harming of Jews or holding Jews collectively responsible for actions taken by Israel.

The bill's prospects in the Senate are unclear.

Asked whether the Senate would take up the legislation, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters earlier Wednesday that "we haven't seen what the House is sending us yet."

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., introduced the bipartisan legislation, which received backing from Democratic moderates who are supporters of Israel amid the country’s war with Hamas.

“In every generation, the Jewish people have been scapegoated, harassed, evicted from their homeland and murdered,” Lawler said in a floor speech before the vote.

"The Jewish people need our support now," he said. "They need action now."

Republicans are seeking to launch investigations into antisemitism on college campuses in response to the pro-Palestinian protests. The current version of the legislation was introduced in late October after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel but not brought to the floor until this week.

“When I spoke at Columbia last week, I told administrators that we need deeds, not words, to protect Jewish students,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., a co-author of the legislation, said in a statement Wednesday. “This bill is a critical step to take the action we so desperately need to stand against hate.”

In a letter Monday to House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., wrote that “there is nothing scheduled on the floor this week that would accomplish the concrete, thoughtful strategies outlined by the Biden administration” to combat antisemitism.

Jeffries had demanded a vote on the bipartisan Countering Antisemitism Act , which aims to address concerns about rising antisemitism through the appointment of a new adviser to the president who would be dedicated to implementing its coordinated strategy to counter antisemitism.

“The effort to crush antisemitism and hatred in any form is not a Democratic or Republican issue,” Jeffries wrote. “It’s an American issue that must be addressed in a bipartisan manner with the fierce urgency of now.”

Lawler's bill faced opposition from some progressive and far-right lawmakers, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, which called the bill's definition of antisemitism "overbroad."

"Speech that is critical of Israel or any other government cannot, alone, constitute harassment," ACLU leaders wrote in a letter last week urging lawmakers to oppose the measure.

The letter pointed in part to an example of antisemitism included in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition, which says antisemitism could include "denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor."

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, voted against the bill after having told reporters Tuesday that Republicans were weaponizing antisemitism.

“We all have to continue to speak out against antisemitism and be clear that we don’t like — we will not tolerate antisemitism any more than we tolerate Islamophobia or any of the other hatreds and discriminations that are out there,” she said.

Jayapal also argued that the bill “has a definition that is so broad” that many Jewish groups do not support it.

“So why would you do that? Except if you want to weaponize antisemitism and you want to use it as a political ploy,” she said. “Let’s remember that many of these Republicans didn’t say a word when Donald Trump and others in Charlottesville, other places, were saying truly antisemitic things.”

Trump, as president, sparked a backlash when he suggested that "many sides" were to blame for the deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, declining to single out white nationalists.

Separately, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said that the definition was so broad that it would threaten constitutionally protected free speech. He, too, voted against the bill.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said in a statement after she voted against it that while she has "experienced antisemitism all my life," the bill "would stifle First Amendment rights to free speech and free assembly."

Jacobs also said she does not believe that anti-Zionism is "inherently antisemitism," saying that "conflating free speech and hate crimes will not make Jewish students any safer."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., voted against the bill because of a disagreement with an example of antisemitism listed in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition, which referred to using "symbols and images" such as "claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel" to describe Israel or Israelis.

Greene argued on X that the bill "could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the gospel that says Jesus was handed over" for crucifixion with involvement of some Jewish authorities, including Herod.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., voted against the bill for similar reasons, pointing to the same example of antisemitism, which many Jews consider harmful.

"The Bible is clear," he wrote on X . "There is no myth or controversy around this."

Activists working to counter antisemitism have pointed out that Jews have been scapegoated throughout history for events including the crucifixion of Jesus and that such claims have been used to justify violence against Jews.

Summer Concepcion is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Rebecca is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the House.