Protection of Children / Minors on Campus

The university has adopted the Minors on Campus Policy to provide guidance for those in the university community who participate in programs or activities that involve minors under the age of 18. The primary goal of the policy is to promote the well-being and safety of minors who participate in programs run by or associated with the University.

All registered programs involving children and teens under age 18 who are left in the universities care fall under the new policy. Examples include:

• Summer camps
• Specialty camps such as academic acting or athletic camps
• Workshops, conferences, and educational programs
• Sponsored student organization activities
• Programs and events involving children that take place in University facilities or on University property

No. There are some scenarios that are exempt from the policy. Examples include:

• Events or performances on campus which are open to the general public (athletic competitions, plays, concerts);
• Undergraduate and graduate academic programs in which minors are enrolled for academic credit;
• Campus tours or visits by minors considered to be prospective students;
• Non-residential field trips to campus supervised by a minor’s school or organization;
• Off-campus clinical, practicum or student teaching experiences supervised by a third party entity;
• Tutoring and mentoring by University students who are registered in recognized organizations (e.g. Big Brother/Big Sister), or are participating in community service activities sponsored by an administrative or academic unit of the University provided that such activities take place only in public settings (such as libraries and dining halls) during normal operating hours;
• Private, personal events (e.g., birthday parties, weddings) that occur on campus;
• Other programs as may be designated from time to time by the appropriate University official in advance and in writing as exempted from this policy.

If you are not involved in any programs or activities involving minors, many of the provisions of the policy will not apply to you. Everyone, however, is expected to do the following:

1. review the policy;
2. help to protect the safety and well-being of minors with whom they may interact; and
3. report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a minor.

The policy does not apply to personal activities that are apart from your role or responsibilities as a student, faculty member or staff member, but the guidance provided by the policy may be helpful and important in non-university contexts.

Yes. All faculty, staff, and students who are involved in programs or activities involving minors that are sponsored by the University or occur on its campuses must comply with this policy.

Yes. Per UCCS Campus Policy 300-022 Employment Background Checks; background checks and training requirements are applicable for all individuals when the role involves a direct interaction with a vulnerable population a security-sensitive position. Waivers to this procedure must be submitted in writing to Human Resources (HR) which includes those persons who are merely volunteers.

Maybe. Per UCCS Campus Policy 300-022 Employment Background Checks; The Volunteer Coordinator must identify the appropriate background check(s), with the assistance of the HR office, based on the volunteer’s activities. Positions require a successful background check when the role involves a direct interaction with vulnerable population (including minors) programs or is a security-sensitive position. Waivers to this procedure must be submitted in writing to Human Resources (HR).

The Department of Human Resources oversees the processing of criminal background checks for University programs and activities. More information concerning how to request background checks can be found on the UCCS Human Resources Website.

Background Release Form

If you are participating in a program or activity involving minors and you know or have reason to suspect that a minor has been subject to abuse or neglect or is otherwise unsafe, you must make a report.

If you have any suspicion that a child has been abused or neglected, report it. Even when you have doubts, it is better to report your suspicions than to ignore them.

To make a report of child abuse or neglect, you must do the following:

• Inform the UCCS Police Department: 719-255-3111;
• If a member of the University may be involved in the suspected assault or abuse, report the suspected assault or abuse directly to the Office of Institutional Equity;
• Document in the Canvas Minors on Campus site.

Program or activity directors, staff, volunteers and all authorized adults working with minors in university programs or activities are highly recommended to do the following annually:

1. Review the University’s Minors on Campus Policy;
2. Attend training provided by the sponsoring unit or program which will provide information about the responsibilities and expectations under the minors on campus policy, emergency response, reporting of suspected abuse, among other things; and
3. Complete the Skillsoft training entitled "Child Protection at UCCS"
4. Contact comply@uccs.edu to discuss options for additional training.

Each department or academic unit offering a program for minors is responsible for training its program staff covered by the policy and is permitted the flexibility to design a method for training best suiting its needs. Additionally, online training is provided through SkillSoft at no cost.

Yes. All individuals working with minors in University programs or activities are highly recommended to complete the above training annually.

Yes. All programs that involve minors occurring on University property must provide training for their staff.

Non-University / unaffiliated organizations that wish to operate programs or activities involving minors on campus must comply with all campus policies including Protection of Children / Minors on Campus Policy. Prior to the start of any program or activity involving minors, Non-University / unaffiliated organizations must complete the following before authorization of use of University facilities may be given:

1. Work directly with the Conferences program within the UCCS Event Services Office to ensure compliance.
2. A signed Facilities Use Agreement setting forth the specific facilities to be used, the dates and hours of permitted access and other terms applicable to such use;
3. Provide a certificate of insurance as required by CU APS 7001: Insurance and Indemnification Requirements for Use of Facilities by Non-University Groups.
4. Complete a UCCS Minors on Campus Policy Compliance Agreement Form provided by Event Services.  The Form outlines the items the non-university/unaffiliated organization need to have prepared prior to their arrival on campus and the organization’s agreement to provide copies upon request by the University.