Rutgers Protection of Minors Policy

Rutgers University welcomes minors on campus for a variety of reasons that range from child-care and behavioral health services to a host of other academic and athletic programs during the summer and the academic year. Minors are regularly on campus as prospective students, as enrollees in university-sponsored programs or camps, as patients or interns, as volunteers in laboratories, and as participants in other community outreach and enrichment activities (some of which may meet off-campus). In its continued commitment to ensure the well-being and safety of minors, the university adopted a Protection of Minors Policy.

This policy describes requirements placed on administrators, faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and others working with minors, to promote their protection, to fulfill our obligations as mandated by law, and to provide the best possible experience for any child entrusted to our care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these programs pivoted to operate virtually while the prohibition of in-person activities remained active. While on-campus programs and activities involving minors are still recommended to operate virtually, on May 31, 2021, the university’s prohibition of on-campus events will expire. Events that have chancellor (or designee) approval may proceed, provided that applicable requirements of state Executive Orders are complied with and the event is certified through the Event and Activity Certification System. Overnight camps and indoor programs involving minors are prohibited in summer 2021.

All programs seeking approval to operate in-person must meet all of the following criteria:

• Obtain chancellor or cabinet-level administrator (or designee) approval for your event (this approval must be in writing to complete the next step)
• Complete an Event and Activity Certification
  • External agencies that wish to operate on-campus must be sponsored by an internal Rutgers department in order to become certified.
• Complete the Rutgers Protection of Minors processes outlined further below:
  • Program Registration: register the program annually with the university through the Protection of Minors Database.
  • Training: ensure staff, students, volunteers and service providers who will be supervising minors complete the 30-minute online training course annually.
  • Background Checks: obtain criminal background checks once every three years and annual sex offender registry checks for authorized adults and individuals in direct contact positions as defined by the policy.
  • Reporting: adhere to all reporting obligations if abuse or neglect of a minor is suspected.
• Be able to comply with current public health guidelines, including those Executive Orders in place at the time of operation, the Guide to Returning to Rutgers, and the mandatory safety precautions outlined in my previous announcement.

Each member of our community has a responsibility to support the protection of minors. Understanding your role and adhering to the policy requirements mentioned above is paramount toward providing the best possible experiences for children at Rutgers University.

For more information, visit protectminors.rutgers.edu. If you have any questions, please email the Protection of Minors Steering Committee at protectminors@rutgers.edu.

As always, Wear a face covering, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands!

Stay safe,

Antonio M. Calcado
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer