Youth Programs

Youth Programs subject to this policy include:

1. Activities or programs for or that include minors that the University operates on campus or in other University facilities, including, but not limited to overnight camps, instructional programs, day camps, academic camps, and sports camps.
2. Activities or programs for or that include minors that are operated, conducted, or organized by external entities but take place on campus or in University facilities, including, but not limited to, facility rentals to external entities.
3. Activities or programs for or that include minors that the University operates that do not take place on campus, including, but not limited to, outreach and community service activities.
4. Faculty or staff who bring minors to campus for activities or programs occurring outside of a structured activity or program where a parent, legal guardian, or other adult acting in a supervisory role (e.g., coach or teacher) is not present. This could include auditions, lessons, tutoring, tours, or activities during which minors serve as interns or volunteers, often under the mentorship or instruction of a faculty or staff member (e.g., to intern in a laboratory).
5. Activities or programs operated, facilitated, or sponsored by student organizations or any other University-affiliated organization that include minors and during which members of the UNCG community are responsible for direct supervision of the minors.

The activities and programs listed in this section are not subject to the registration and compliance requirements outlined in section 4 of this policy.

1. Undergraduate and graduate academic activities or programs involving a minor participant who is enrolled or who has been accepted for enrollment as a student at the University, including orientation activities.
2. Normal operations of licensed childcare facilities or educational programs, such as the UNCG Child Care Education Program, the Moss Street Partnership School, and the Middle College at UNCG. These facilities and programs are subject to state laws and regulations with requirements that supersede this policy and are outside the scope of this policy. However, separate camps or programs sponsored by these programs could be subject to this policy.
3. University-affiliated clinical or therapy providers delivering counseling or treatment services to minors, such as the Psychology clinic, the UNCG Speech and Hearing Center or the Vacc Counseling and Consulting Clinic.
4. Research programs or grant-funded activities involving minors which are approved by the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) or research activities otherwise authorized under the University’s Minors in Research Laboratories Policy.
5. Student recruitment activities, including open houses and admissions visits and tours, that are scheduled to last no longer than one day and do not include an overnight stay.
6. Events on campus open to the general public that minors may also attend (e.g., sporting events, theatre performances, etc.).
7. Events or programs offered at or in affiliation with the University during which the minor is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, coach, or teacher at all times.  Minors present on University property who are not participating in a Youth Program, or other event, activity, or program on University property, must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. 

1. Youth Program: A “Youth Program” is any event, operation, or endeavor that is (1) operated, conducted, or organized by any unit or organization supported by or affiliated with the University or occurring in University facilities; (2) that includes minors; and (3) during which parents or legal guardians are not expected to be responsible for the care, custody, or control of the minors. A Youth Program may be University-Sponsored or sponsored by an External Entity but held on University facilities.
   1. University-Sponsored:  A “University-Sponsored” Youth Program is any Youth Program that: (1) the university solely owns and operates; (2) the university jointly operates with another organization; or (3) the university contracts with another organization to provide.  University-Sponsored Youth Programs may or may not take place in University facilities. 
   2. External Entity Activities and Programs: “External Entity Activities or Programs” are Youth Programs that are offered by an individual or entity that is not affiliated with UNC Greensboro but take place in whole or in part in UNCG facilities.  The external entity assumes full responsibility for the supervision of the minors. 
2. Minor: A “minor” is any person who has not reached the age of 18 years.
3. Youth Participant: A “Youth Participant” is a minor attending a Youth Program at or affiliated with the University.
4. Program Staff: “Program Staff” consists of both paid and unpaid individuals who have direct contact with youth participants, and may include faculty, staff, students, student employees, graduate assistants, contractors, or volunteers. Program staff are responsible for (1) planning, teaching, coordinating, and carrying out activities and/or (2) supervision of youth participants in the activities or programs. The term “Program Staff” does not include individuals who provide services that are limited in nature (such as a lecture or presentation) and who have no direct individual contact with, or oversight of, youth participants.
5. The Guide for Operating Youth Programs: The “Guide” contains detailed procedures and guidelines for operating Youth Programs at UNC Greensboro.
6. University Facilities: “University Facilities” are facilities owned by or under the control of UNC Greensboro.
7. Volunteer: A “volunteer” is any individual working in an unpaid capacity in a Youth Program. Volunteers are subject to the UNCG Volunteer Policy and Procedures.
8. University Compliance Director: The “University Compliance Director” is an attorney in the Office of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel who is responsible for administering this policy. The University Compliance Director provides compliance approval for Youth Programs, certifying that Youth Programs meet the requirements of this policy and the Guide and, therefore, are approved to operate in affiliation with the University or in University facilities.

The following requirements govern participation in Youth Programs. Youth Programs must:

1. Register with the University prior to the commencement of any activities involving youth participants.
2. Ensure that Program Staff:
   1. Successfully complete background checks, reference checks, and/or student conduct checks consistent with the requirements of the UNCG Policy on Background Checks and the Guide before they are permitted to work in Youth Programs.
   2. Complete annual training, including child abuse awareness, prevention, and reporting, pursuant to the  UNCG Minors on Campus: Reporting policy and the Guide.
   3. Adhere to the conduct standards set forth in Section 5 of this policy and the Guide.
3. Collect and maintain, at a minimum, parental/legal guardian contact information, emergency contact information, relevant medical history, consent for emergency medical treatment, a liability waiver, and photography or media release for each youth participant in a Youth Program. The Youth Program or its associated University department shall maintain all such documents for no fewer than ten (10) years after receipt.
4. Ensure appropriate supervision of youth participants at all times.
5. Cooperate with official investigations should they occur.
6. Establish and maintain proper controls to account for and protect the resources of the University in the operation of all Youth Programs, including money, equipment, space, supplies, data, and any other items used or accessed in the operation of a Youth Program. 
7. Maintain the privacy of youth participants’ individually identifiable information consistent with University requirements. Requirements for prevention and mitigation of identity theft risk are outlined in the UNCG Identity Theft Prevention Policy.
8. Establish and ensure compliance with medication management procedures to meet the needs of youth participants who need to take medication during the Youth Program, including inhalers, epi-pens, and other rescue medication. 
9. Report any diagnosis of a communicable disease (as defined in the UNCG Communicable Disease policy) for any youth participant to the University Medical Director per the Communicable Disease policy and public health regulations.  
10. Obtain insurance coverage in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Guide, unless the requirements are waived by the Office of Institutional Risk Management.
11. Maintain records consistent with this policy, the Guide, and the university records retention schedule.

Prior to a Program’s commencement, Youth Programs must register and receive approval from the University annually pursuant to the process outlined in the Guide. To complete the registration process, Youth Programs must provide, at a minimum, information on the person(s) in charge of the Youth Program, the dates and locations of the Youth Program, the dean, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, or vice chancellor having supervisory authority over the Youth Program, the general nature of the activities to be undertaken, and the administrative requirements associated with the Youth Program consistent with the requirements outlined in section 4.1. Youth Programs may not occur without appropriate University approval as outlined herein. Program registration must be submitted and approved before beginning to advertise or accept youth participant registrations.

Consistent with North Carolina law, all persons, including Program Staff, have a duty to immediately report allegations of inappropriate conduct involving minors pursuant to the UNCG Minors on Campus: Reporting Policy. Failure to report such allegations may result in criminal penalties under North Carolina law and University sanctions as outlined in section 9 of this policy.

Any person who makes a good faith report of child abuse or neglect shall not be subjected to retaliation. Further, no one making a good faith report of suspected abuse or neglect will be retaliated against in the terms and conditions of employment or participation in the educational program. Individuals reporting inappropriate conduct or suspected inappropriate conduct in good faith are protected under North Carolina law from criminal and civil liability for making the report.

Youth Programs must discontinue the participation of any employee or volunteer when an allegation of inappropriate conduct has been made against them, until such allegation has been satisfactorily resolved or disciplinary action is taken.

Compliance with this policy and the Guide is required as a condition of operating Youth Programs at or affiliated with UNCG. Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy or the requirements further outlined in the Guide can result in the loss of program privileges, including but not limited to, revocation of the opportunity to use university facilities, issuance of a no-trespass notice, and/or suspension or termination of the Youth Program. Other sanctions may include the following: 

1. Volunteers are subject to reprimand or loss of volunteer status.;
2. Students are subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
3. Faculty, staff, and student employees are subject to corrective and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
4. Applicable unit-level sanctions.
5. External entities are subject to punitive actions under the terms of their contract agreement, up to and including termination of the contract.

Any suspected violation of approved program guidelines or University policy will be subject to investigation by the appropriate University officials. Colleges, units, and individuals must cooperate with investigations when they occur.

• N.C.G.S § 7B-301. (Duty to report child abuse, neglect, and dependency to the Department of Social Services.)
• Senate Bill 199 (N.C.G.S § 14-318.6) and N.C.G.S § 14-318.2. (Duty to report violent or sexual offenses against children or misdemeanor child abuse to local law enforcement.)

• UNC Greensboro Guide for Operating Youth Programs
• Youth Programs Website
• Minors on Campus: Reporting Policy
• Minors in Research Laboratories Policy
• Policy on Background Checks 
• Volunteer Policy and Procedures
• Facility Use Policy
• Communicable Disease Policy
• Identity Theft Prevention Policy 
• The Code and UNC Policy Manual: 1300.10 Policy on Protection of Minors on Campus

Chancellor

Policy Owners: 

Responsible Administrator: University Compliance Director; [email protected]. 

Responsible Executive: Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel