WHY HAS THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ESTABLISHED THE INTERACTIONS WITH NON-ENROLLED MINORS POLICY?
The University of Arizona is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all individuals in the University community, particularly minors who participate in University programs or activities. The purpose of the Interactions with Non-Enrolled Minors Policy is to provide reasonable safeguards for the protection and supervision of minors participating in University programs or activities.
WHICH PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SAFETY?
Programs or activities need to be registered annually with the Office of Youth Safety if:
- They are University programs or activities.
- They are open for participation by minors.
- Minor participants are supervised exclusively by University employees or volunteers.
WHICH PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES DO NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SAFETY?
Programs or activities do not need to be registered with the Office of Youth Safety if:
- They are open to the public.
- They have been given Institutional Review Board approval.
- Minor participants are students at the University.
- Minor participants are enrolled for academic credit at the University.
- Minor participants will be supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or official of a school or non-University organization or group.
What does the INTERACTIONS WITH NON-ENROLLED MINORS policy require?
Programs or activities must:
- Submit a Registration Form.
- Follow the established Behavioral Expectations for Authorized Representatives and Behavioral Expectations for Minors.
- Ensure all Authorized Representatives complete required training.
- Adhere to all reporting obligations.
Who is a MINOR?
Any person under the age of 18 is a minor.
Who is an Authorized REPRESENTATIVE?
Any University employee or volunteer who will interact with minors in University programs or activities that are within the scope of the Interactions with Non-Enrolled Minors Policy.
What training is required FOR Authorized REPRESENTATIVES?
Authorized representatives are required to complete the University’s Youth Safety Training for Authorized Representatives which provides instruction on reporting requirements, responsibilities to safeguard minors and applicable policies and procedures surrounding the custodial care of minors. This training must be completed annually.
The Youth Safety Training for Authorized Representatives is offered free of charge to all authorized representatives via D2L.
Training content includes:
- How to identify the signs or indicators of child abuse
- Warning signs of a potential abuser
- How to respond to a disclosure of child abuse
- How to report child abuse to the proper authorities
- Your responsibilities under Arizona law and University of Arizona policies.
What is an appropriate AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE to minor ratio?
Programs or activities are strongly urged to follow the American Camp Association (ACA) ratios for day and overnight programs or activities.
Day Program
- 5 years old and younger: 1 staff for every 6 participants (1:6)
- 6-8 years old: 1 staff for every 8 participants (1:8)
- 9-14 years old: 1 staff for every 10 participants (1:10)
- 15-18 years old: 1 staff for every 12 participants (1:12)
Overnight Program
- 5 years old and younger: 1 staff for every 5 participants (1:5)
- 6-8 years old: 1 staff for every 6 participants (1:6)
- 9-14 years old: 1 staff for every 8 participants (1:8)
- 15-18 years old: 1 staff for every 10 participants (1:10)
What IS ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTION?
Any interaction with a minor (in-person or virtual) that does not include a minimum of two authorized representatives is considered a one-on-one interaction.
In-person one-on-one interactions are only allowed if administrative approval (on the Registration Form) and parental/legal guardian approval (on the Parent/Legal Guardian Disclosure of One-on-One Interaction with a Minor) are provided.
Virtual one-on-one interactions are prohibited.
What are the rules regarding supervision of Minors?
Minors must be directly supervised by an authorized representative at all times while they are participating in a program or activity. Direct supervision means generally that a minor remains in line of sight and/or sound of an authorized representative at all times. At no time may a minor be unattended or left in the care of an individual that is not an authorized representative.
What should I do if I have reasonable cause to believe that a participant in our youth program/ACTIVITY is being abused or neglected?
Any individual in a University program or activity or a non-University program or activity operating in University facilities who knows, suspects, or receives information indicating that a minor has been abused or neglected, or who has other concerns about the safety of a minor must immediately make two calls and within one business day submit one report:
- Call: University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) at 520-621-UAPD (520-621-8273)
- Call: Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445).
- Report: Complete a Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, or Neglect Incident Report and submit it to the Office of Youth Safety within one business day.
Please contact the Office of Youth Safety (youthsafety@arizona.edu) if you have any questions.