Minor Protection & Adult Leadership Policy

Purpose

The University System has adopted UW System Administrative Policy 625 Youth Protection for the safety and well-being of minors that attend our various youth programs. This policy is for the protection of minors and adult employees and volunteers. As such, all members of the campus community, including faculty, staff, volunteers and third parties with a business relationship to the University or who are offering a youth activity must comply with this policy. 

This  Minor Protection policy establishes the adoption of the Youth Protection Standard Operating Procedure (.docx) in compliance of UW System Administrative Policy 625 Youth Protection for youth activities. 

Definitions

Authorized Adult: Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older in a paid or unpaid supervisory or leadership position.

Minor: A person under the age of eighteen (18) who is not enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the University.

University Facilities:  Facilities owned by, under the control of the University, or being used for a recognized University activity or function. 

Youth Activity:  An event, operation endeavor, or activity sponsored or operated by the University and during which the University assumes custodial care of the minors on or off campus.

Youth Third Party Activity:  An event, operation, endeavor, or activity operated by a third-party that takes place on the University’s premises pursuant to an agreement with the University and where the third-party assumes custodial care of participating minors.

Policy

Youth Protection Standard Operating Procedure (.docx) sets forth program and operational requirements for youth activities must be adhered to, including, but not limited to:  

• All Youth Activities held either on or off campus that serve minors, including those held in other municipalities, states, and nations that are coordinated and operated by the University.
• Third party youth activities held on University Facilities or property. 

This Policy does not apply to: 

• Minors who are:
• Formally admitted to the University and enrolled as a student
• Enrolled in for-credit courses as a non-degree or visiting student, including students enrolled through dual-credit programs
• Enrolled in noncredit courses designed for adults
• Participating in internships or other academic experiences as a matriculated student or through a for-credit course 
• Participating in pre-enrollment visitation or recruiting activities, including those governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
• Employed by the University in a paid position, except where the compensation is provided for involvement in a covered activity

• Child care and day camps licensed under DCF 251 or DCF 252;
• Medical care provided to minors in clinical settings;
• Institutional Review Board approved research;
• Public Events; and
• Private Events.

Violations. Any employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. A volunteer who violates this policy may have their duties immediately suspended and may be subject to limited access to campus up to a ban from campus. In the event that a violation occurs by a third party employee or volunteer the group in its entirety may be asked to remove from campus and future access to campus by the group may be limited or prohibited.