Safety of Minors

Safety of Minors

Excerpted from Administrative Policy: Safety of Minors; edited for application to CIS

Policy Statement

The University has historically provided a safe environment for minors (persons under the age of 18) and is committed to continued vigilance.

Mandatory Reporting

All University employees, including student employees, and volunteers are required to report to the local police department (including the University Police Departments), county sheriff or local social services agency within 24 hours when they know or have reason to believe a minor is being physically or sexually abused or neglected, or has been within the past three years, including abuse and neglect by non-University persons. This includes all minors, students and non-students:

• participating in University-sponsored programs that are held on or off University property;
• enrolled in undergraduate and graduate academic programs at the University; or
• participating in programs operated by non-University organizations on University property.

While Minnesota law requires reporting by certain professionals at the University, such as educators (including faculty, instructors, researchers, coaches and deans), health care providers, social workers, and others, the University by policy extends this reporting obligation to all University faculty, staff (including student employees) and volunteers.

After reporting to authorities, individuals are encouraged to notify their supervisor, if appropriate.

Registration

[College in the Schools registers annually with the University of Minnesota to meet reporting requirements for student field day events.] The purpose of registration is for each program to confirm it has addressed safety of minors in its planning and complied with the requirements of this policy.

Health and Safety Requirements

Excerpted from Administrative Policy Appendix: Health and Safety Requirements and Expectations for Programs Involving Minors

Supervision of Minors

Minors Attend Program with Adult:

When University staff deliver a program off campus where minors are supervised by teachers or other adult chaperones, for example at a school or out-of-school program, the non-University program remains responsible for supervision and a teacher/group leader must remain with the minors.

Non-university schools/groups attending a University program, and adults bringing minors to a University program are responsible for their minors. The University program hosting the group may request a specific ratio to make it easier for University staff to ensure a higher quality learning experience.

Program Staff and Participant Interactions

Programs must establish and communicate expectations for program staff behavior when interacting with, supervising, chaperoning or otherwise overseeing minors in program activities, recreational activities and/or residential facilities. At minimum these standards must include:

• Program staff must avoid being alone with a minor. When one-on-one consultation is needed for discipline, mentoring or instructional purposes, the conversation should take place within view (not hearing distance) of others and another staff member should be aware that this private conversation is taking place.
• Program staff must not use physical punishment or withholding of necessities such as food, water and/or shelter to modify behavior. Physical hazing, and initiation rituals that lead to embarrassment or that require youth to do anything that makes them fearful or uncomfortable, are prohibited.
• Program staff must respect the privacy of minors when toilets are used, clothes changed, or showers taken. Program staff and participants are prohibited from the use of photography and recording devices in bathrooms or locker rooms.
• Program staff must stay with the participants, except when using bathroom or dressing room facilities. Program staff must understand procedures for conducting headcounts, making bathroom visits, and conducting room/bed checks, as applicable.
• Program staff must not engage in any behavior that is subject to mandatory reporting. Staff must maintain appropriate physical boundaries and take particular care when necessary to touch minors.
• Program staff must report any behavior that is subject to mandatory reporting to the appropriate authorities.

Physical Environment

Safe Movement of Minors

Programs must have plans in place for the safe movement of minors. Situations to consider when planning include:

• Check-in and check-out procedures for safe arrival and departure of minors.
• Practices for safe movement as pedestrians and/or on campus buses, such as using a buddy system, taking head counts before and/after, and having adults at the beginning and end to ensure groups stay together while moving.