Rule 3362-5-40 | Protection of minors on campus.
(A) Purpose
(1) Shawnee state university (university) is dedicated to the welfare and safety of minors who visit campus, participate in university programs, or are entrusted to the university's care. The university is committed to compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations pertaining to the protection of minors and has zero tolerance for child abuse.
(2) The purpose of this policy, and associated procedure, is to ensure and promote the protection of minors participating in university-sponsored activities and programs. This policy establishes requirements applicable to administrators, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers who directly interact with minors.
(B) Definitions
(1) Minor is a person under the age of eighteen.
(2) Activities and programs with minors are: any university sponsored event or operation that includes minors and does not expect parents or guardians to be responsible for the care, custody, or control of minors.
(3) Camps include: overnight camps, sports camps, academic camps (e.g. upward bound program).
(4) Activity/program director is the individual who manages or coordinates the activity or program with minors.
(5) Child abuse exists when there is endangerment of a minor's physical or mental health due to injury by act or omission, including acts of sexual abuse.
(C) Scope
(1) This policy applies to university activities and programs with minors that are operated on or off campus, including camps and instructional programs that are not included in the university's undergraduate or graduate academic programs.
(2) This policy does not apply to:
(a) Single performances or events open to the general public not targeted toward children.
(b) Social functions that may be attended by minors who are accompanied by their parents/guardians.
(c) Minors enrolled in academic courses including postsecondary courses (e.g., college credit plus).
(D) General restrictions
(1) It is the responsibility of those who bring minors to campus, including employees, students, and visitors, to ensure appropriate and continuous supervision. These individuals must further ensure that minor children do not visit restricted facilities or environments.
(2) Employees who bring minors to campus, including the worksite, are responsible for the minor's conduct and welfare.
(E) Registration and background checks
Registration of activities and programs and background checks will be required as stipulated in procedure 5.40:1: camp registration, background checks, training and reporting.
(F) Reporting and training
(1) Individuals who work with minors in university activities and programs are required to report suspected abuse. Guidelines that specify how to report observed or suspected child abuse or neglect are established through procedure 5.40:1.
(2) Mandatory training will be required for individuals working with minors per procedure 5.40:1.
(G) Procedures
Procedures will be established to effectively administer this policy.
Last updated January 23, 2023 at 9:09 AM
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