Ohio Admin. Code 3358:14-3-38 - Minors on campus

Northwest state community college (NSCC) seeks to promote the safety and welfare of minors on NSCC campus, including minors who participate in youth activities and programs on NSCC campus. This policy outlines what is required of faculty, staff, learners, and volunteers who interact with minors or work in youth activities and programs, including their reporting obligations in instances of known or suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect of minors. This policy applies to all minors, as defined in this policy, on college property, and any faculty, staff, learners, and volunteers who interact with minors while on campus.

(A) Definitions / applicability

(1) "Child abuse or neglect" is when a child has suffered or faces a substantial threat of suffering any physical or mental injury that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect, including that of a sexual nature.

(2) "Minors" are persons under the age of eighteen who may or may not be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at Northwest state community college as a learner. The term "minor" and "child" are used interchangeably in this policy.

(3) Youth activities include but are not limited to:

(a) Youth activities and programs the college operates on college property including but not limited to overnight camps, licensed childcare facilities, instructional programs, day camps, academic camps, and sports camps.

(b) Youth activities and programs the college operates that do not take place on college property, including but not limited to outreach and community service activities.

(c) Virtual youth activities and programs the college hosts on an online platform.

(d) Hybrid youth activities and programs that have both virtual and in-person components.

(e) Faculty or staff who bring a youth to college property as an intern, volunteer, or recruit outside of a structured youth activity or program.

(B) Reporting suspected abuse or neglect

(1) Any program personnel who in the course of their duties witness child abuse or neglect or have information that would lead a reasonable person to believe a youth faces a substantial threat of child abuse or neglect must immediately take the following two steps to report:

(a) Alert the appropriate agency:

(i) If a youth is in imminent danger (life threatening or abuse is being witnessed), call 911. If you are unsure whether there is imminent danger, call 911; or

(ii) If a youth is not in imminent danger, call children services agency at 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642- 4453), which is a twenty-four hour automated telephone directory that will link callers directly to a child welfare or law enforcement office in their county.

(b) Report to campus police (who will also alert their administrative chain of command).

(2) If consultation is needed regarding reporting, or if there are questions on the process or other support needed, contact the Title IX coordinator.

(3) The college will make every reasonable effort to conduct its investigation of reported child abuse or neglect occurring in college programs or activities in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the person making the report. However, it may be necessary to disclose details in the course of an investigation or when required by law.

(4) Campus police will make subsequent notifications to campus administrators, to include the Title IX coordinator and the VP of workforce development.

(5) Nothing in this policy is intended to prevent non-employees, such as learners and visitors, from making a report if they have reasonable cause to suspect that child abuse or neglect has occurred or may occur.

(C) Youth activity requirements

(1) All youth activities and programs must register annually with the NSCC camp coordinator.

(2) All youth activities and programs must follow the "Minors in youth activities procedure" for registration, execution of waivers, reporting, background checks and training.

(3) Units and individuals must cooperate with investigations when they occur.

(D) Supervision of minors on campus

No minors (this does not include enrolled or accepted NSCC learners) are to be left alone or unsupervised on college property: this includes, but is not limited to classrooms, offices, skills labs, science labs, learner lounges, waiting areas, etc. It is the responsibility of anyone who brings minors to campus to ensure supervision of that minor. If a minor has been left unattended, this should be reported to campus police.

(E) Minors in the workplace or classroom

(1) As discussed in this paragraph, in certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for faculty, staff, and learners to bring their minor children to the workplace or classroom. In such situations, the goal should be to foster respect for the needs of all parties impacted by the presence of the minor children. Employees and supervisors must consider issues of safety, confidentiality, disruption of operations, disruption of services, disruption to other employees, appropriateness and liability posed by the presence of the minor children in the workplace.

(2) Faculty, staff, and learners:

(a) May occasionally bring minors to the workplace for brief visits, specific campus events, situational convenience, or family emergencies. These should be occasional and not in the place of regular childcare. Additionally, the minor cannot be ill when brought to the college.

(b) Must obtain prior approval from their workplace supervisor or classroom instructor before bringing a minor to the workplace or classroom.

(c) Assume and accept full responsibility for all aspects of the minor's behavior, including safety, unauthorized or inappropriate use of college resources, any damages to persons or to property. Minor may not have access to any confidential or FERPA protected information or meetings, etc.

(e) Accept responsibility for monitoring the minor's behavior to prevent interruptions to college business or instruction.

(f) Minors are not allowed in high-risk or hazardous areas as defined by the supervisor or instructor. These areas may include mechanical rooms, food preparation areas, areas with heavy equipment, college vehicles, or laboratories or other specialized hazardous areas. Additionally, minors are not allowed in college motorized vehicles.

(g) At all times, the college reserves the right to not allow a minor to attend work or class with a faculty member, staff member, or learner.

[1] Campus police will make subsequent notifications to campus administrators, to include the Title IX coordinator and the VP of workforce development.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 3358:14-3-38

Effective: 1/25/2023
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3358.
Rule Amplifies: 3358.