Changes in requirements for programs involving minors

Purdue University is updating its procedures for addressing the safety of minors on its campuses. The result is a new policy with revised operating procedures effective Saturday (Jan. 15) for programs that take place on or after May 1.

The policy and procedures establish a tiered system of requirements based on the type of program. Programs referred to as custodial programs — those that assume responsibility for the care, custody or control of a minor for at least a portion of the program — will have additional training, registration and planning requirements. Noncustodial programs will have fewer requirements to meet. All programs will need to ensure that the faculty, staff, students and volunteers who help to facilitate the program have passed a check of the national and Indiana sex offender registries. This is a change from the previous procedures, which addressed checks of faculty, staff and students through a different process.

University-recognized student organizations, which were previously exempt from the process, now will be required to follow the policy and procedures. Some of these organizations have frequent contact with minors who are not students of the University, so it is important that they know what is expected of them.

With the new and revised policy and procedures, the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance and the Office of Risk Management have entered into an agreement to acquire program registration software. The software will provide a central repository for program information and allow the University to meet certain reporting mandates. The software will be available for use by programs on all campuses.

View Policy III.A.6 and its supplemental operating procedures online. Comments and questions may be sent to youthprotection@purdue.edu.