Protection of Children on Campus

Protection of Children on Campus

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is dedicated to the welfare and safety of all children who visit our campus to participate in University-related programs or activities or events involving children on the University's campuses. To that end, on February 1, 2018, UCCS adopted the Protection of Children on Campus policy. The objective of this policy is to clarify expectations and outline campus requirements to provide for the protection of children who are participating in programs for children.

The Protection of Children on Campus policy and procedure does the following:

  • Designates the Campus Administrator
  • Designates the Children on Campus Advisory Committee
  • Outlines the protocols related to Children on Campus
  • Specifies operations related to Children on Campus (documentation, payment, medication, general rules, and non-discrimination)
  • Requires background checks for individuals who work in programs/camps
  • Outlines reporting and training obligations

University Policy

A Program for Children is defined as: a university program operated exclusively or primarily for children left in university care without parent or guardian supervision and that requires registration or application. Any childcare center operated on campus pursuant to C.R.S. §§ 26-6-101 to -121 complies with state laws and regulations applicable to a childcare center and is excluded from the Protection of Children on Campus policy. These laws and regulations exceed the standards set forth in this policy. If you offer, sponsor, or approve programs for children, please review UCCS Campus Policy 100-019: Protection of Children on Campus and APS 7009: Protection of Children Participating in University-Run and University-Contracted Programs for Children.

Related Policies

Duty to Report

An employee and/or volunteer who suspects that a child participating in a program for children is being abused, mistreated or neglected, shall report such information to law enforcement immediately and shall also notify their supervisor and/or the campus administrator. University employees, who are mandatory reporters under Colorado law (see C.R.S. § 19-3-304), shall report pursuant to the provisions in that law.

Employees are subject to mandatory reporting obligations related to suspected protected class discrimination or harassment.

An employee and/or volunteer who suspects that a child participating in a program for children is being abused, mistreated, or neglected, shall report such information to law enforcement immediately and shall also notify their supervisor and/or the campus administrator.  

All volunteers and employees, including all program operators, are required to report alleged sexual misconduct and protected class discrimination and harassment to the Office of Institutional Equity (“OIE”).

Programs/Camps Directed by Non-University Entities (Unaffiliated)

Non-university/unaffiliated organizations that wish to operate programs or activities involving children at the UCCS campus must ensure their programs are conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth by the UCCS Policy 100-019 Protection of Children on Campus.

All unaffiliated program operators of programs for children must work with the University’s Department of Events and Conference Services or designee and sign an agreement with the University. At a minimum, unaffiliated program operators are required to follow the requirements set forth in UCCS Policy 100-019 Protection of Children on Campus. If applicable, at a minimum, the unaffiliated program operator must agree to:

  1. Provide insurance and indemnification, as required by APS 7001: Insurance and Indemnification Requirements for Use of Facilities by Non-University Groups.
  2. Comply with UCCS Policy 100-019 and APS 7009: Protection of Children Participating in University-Run and University-Contracted Programs for Children.
  3. Collect and maintain all required information.
  4. Submit to a compliance audit as required by the campus.

Requirements

Please review the UCCS Policy 100-019 Protection of Children on Campus and the related Protection of Children on Campus Procedure for all requirements, forms, and protocols.

For additional information on volunteers and minors on campus, please visit the CU University Risk Management website for Volunteer, Trainee and Minor Participants, and the UCCS Emergency and Safety Services website for Volunteers and Minors. 

Policy Rationale

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

All registered programs involving children and teens under age 18, who are not current students or employees, who are left in the universities care fall under the 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 children, 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.
  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 children that are sponsored by the University or occur on its campuses must comply with this policy.

Applicability to Volunteers

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.

Applicability to Speakers

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.

Reporting Obligations

If you are participating in a program or activity involving children and you know or have reason to suspect that a child 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.

An employee and/or volunteer who suspects that a child participating in a program for children is being abused, mistreated, or neglected, shall report such information to law enforcement immediately and shall also notify their supervisor and/or the campus administrator.  

Training Requirements

Each program operator will ensure that all employees and volunteers complete mandatory training. Please review the Protection of Children on Campus Procedure for all required trainings. 

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

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

External Programs Operating on University Campus Requests for Additional Information

Xochil Herrera
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Accounting | Controller
t: 719-255-3310
e: xherrera@uccs.edu