Authorized Adults and Program Staff should be positive role models for Minors, and act in a caring, honest, respectful and responsible manner that is consistent with the mission of the University. Authorized Adults and Program Staff are required to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and University policy. Authorized Adults and Program Staff working in Programs covered by this policy must follow these expectations to avoid conduct that could cause harm or be misinterpreted:
- Do not engage in any sexual activity or conversations, make sexual comments, tell sexual jokes, or share sexually explicit material with Minors or assist in any way to provide access to such material to Minors.
- Do not engage or allow Minors to engage you in romantic or sexual conversations, or related matters, unless required in the role of resident advisors, counselors, or health care providers.
- Do not touch Minors in a manner that a reasonable person could interpret as inappropriate. Touching should generally only be in the open and in response to the Minor’s needs, for a purpose that is consistent with the Program’s mission and culture, or for a clear educational, developmental, or health related purpose (i.e., treatment of an injury). Any resistance from the Minor should be respected.
- Do not use profanity, vulgarity, or harassing language.
- Do not be alone with a single Minor. If one-on-one interaction is required, meet in open, well illuminated spaces or rooms with windows observable by other Authorized Adult and Program Staff, unless one-on-one interaction is expressly authorized by the Program Administrator or is being undertaken by a health care provider.
- Do not meet with Minors outside of established times for Program activities. Any exceptions require written parental authorization and must include more than one Authorized Adult and Program Staff.
- Do not invite individual Minors to your home or other private locations. Any exceptions require authorization by the Program Administrator and written authorization by a parent or legal guardian.
- Do not provide gifts to Minors or their families independent of items provided by the Program.
- Do not engage or communicate with Minors through email, text messages, social networking websites, phone, internet chat rooms, multiplayer online games, or other forms of social media at any time except and unless there is an educational or programmatic purpose and the content of the communication is consistent with the mission of the Program and the University.
- Do not engage in any abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of, a Minor, including but not limited to verbal abuse, striking, hitting, punching, poking, spanking or restraining. If restraint is necessary to protect a Minor or other Minors from harm, all incidents must be documented and disclosed to the Program Administrator and the Minor’s parent or legal guardian.
- Do not use, possess or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on duty, or in the presence of Minors involved in a Program, or when responsible for a Minor’s welfare.
- Do not provide alcohol or drugs of any type to a Minor.
- Do not provide medication to a Minor unless authorized by the Program’s medication management guidelines.
- When transporting Minors, at least 2 persons, being either an Authorized Adult and/or Program Staff must be present in the vehicle, except when multiple Minors will be in the vehicle at all times through the transportation. Minors must be transported in University vehicles.
- Possession of or use of any type of weapon or explosive device is prohibited in the presence of a minor, whether or not permitted by the University Weapons Policy unless authorized in advance by campus law enforcement.
- Will comply with all federal and state laws, and University policies, including Reporting requirements.