Minors Participating in CMU Activities
The resources on this page support Central Michigan University's (CMU) commitment to ensuring compliance with university policies and the Michigan Child Protection Law for minors participating in CMU activities. The university emphasizes the safety and well-being of all minors involved in university-sponsored programs, whether these activities take place on campus or off campus.
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Overview
Central Michigan University provides extensive opportunities for minors to participate in diverse activities facilitated by its departments, student organizations, and community partnerships. Emphasizing a commitment to compliance with Michigan's Child Protection Law, CMU ensures the safety of minors involved in academic, athletic, or social activities, whether these occur on or off campus. This dedication underscores CMU's proactive approach in creating a secure environment for minors across all university-sponsored programs.
The initial steps include registering the program and partnering with Events and Conference Services to secure suitable space while adhering to the guidelines specified in the Facility Use Policy. These guidelines are supported by the Minors Participating in CMU Activities Policy 3-35.
Minors on Campus Handbook
The Minors Participating in CMU Activities Handbook outlines the policy, processes, and procedures governing programs involving minors. It includes a comprehensive Program Creation Checklist designed to ensure adherence to Michigan Child Protection Law and prioritize the safety and well-being of minors engaged in CMU-sponsored activities. The handbook also establishes a clear reporting mechanism for CMU employees, students, and community members, while outlining protocols for program organizers to maintain a secure environment for minors on campus.
The Program Creation Checklist offers a systematic approach, ensuring all necessary approvals are obtained and that events maintain a secure environment for minors under the age of 18. For your ease, the Handbook also includes approved forms and waivers to use when organizing programs involving minors on CMU's campus.
Frequently asked questions
To whom does this policy apply?
This policy applies to all university-sponsored programs and non-university programs using CMU facilities involving minors. All administrators, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers at all physical CMU locations or attending virtually are expected to follow the established guidelines and procedures.
What programs fall under the Minors on Campus policy?
With very few exceptions, all programs involving children and teens fall under CMU Policy 3-35, Minors participating in CMU Activities. Examples include, but are not limited to summer camps, specialty camps including academic camps, outreach activities and pipeline programs, workshops, conferences and educational programs, tutoring, licensed childcare facilities and programs, sponsored student organization activities, programs and events that involve children that take place in CMU facilities, on CMU owned or leased property and virtual programs.
What types of programs do not apply to Policy 3-35?
Events open to the public and which minors attend as a spectator at the sole discretion of their parents/guardians, students who have been admitted to an undergraduate academic degree program or who have matriculated to CMU, minors employed by CMU, minors receiving direct patient care.
What programs are required to register using the online form?
All CMU programs and activities involving minors are required to register using the Minors on Campus Event Registration Form. Meeting the requirements of Policy 3-35 does not exempt a program or activity from following the process and complying with the policy.
Who must complete a background check?
Background checks are required for all adults who participate in a supervisory role in programs involving children and teens. The requirement applies to university-sponsored programs and events and non-university-sponsored programs held at CMU facilities or property. Consult the Minors on Campus Program Requirements for Background Checks found in the Minors Participating in CMU Activities Handbook.
Are all students who volunteer for a CMU-sponsored event with minors present required to have a current background check?
Students acting in a supervisory role with minors or performing the role of an Authorized Adult are required to have a current and clean background check.
Who is responsible for the cost of a background check?
The cost of a background check is the responsibility of the individual, the program sponsor, or the unit/division.
Are upon hire background checks acceptable for faculty or staff?
Background checks must be performed annually for faculty, staff and students working with minors.
How do I arrange for background checks for faculty, staff or students for university-sponsored programs?
Background checks for university-sponsored programs and events are conducted by a third-party vendor. Human Resources, Faculty Personnel Services, or Student Employment administer the background checks as appropriate. The policies for background checks are found in the CMU Manual of University Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines for Faculty and Staff and Students.
How is the policy enforced?
It is the responsibility of the sponsoring unit’s Senior Officer or Dean to maintain compliance with this policy. The Minors on Campus Oversight Committee servers as a resource to assist units with achieving policy compliance.
My program has unique circumstances; I am not sure how to comply with Policy 3-35. What should I do?
The Minors on Campus Working Group is committed to working with programs that have unique circumstances to help identify the best ways to comply with the policy. Program sponsors with questions are encouraged to reach out to the MOC Oversight Committee at MinorsOnCampus@cmich.edu.
My program is not being conducted within my college, or at an off-campus location. Does Policy 3-35 apply to my program?
YES. All CMU-sponsored activities or events involving minors, whether on campus, virtually, at an Innovation & Online remote location, or at an external entity location are required to follow the policy guidelines of the Minors Participating in CMU Activities, Policy 3-35.
My event qualifies as a policy exception as detailed in the Policy on page 2. Am I required to register my program and follow policy provisions?
YES. All programs involving minors at a CMU-sponsored event are required to comply with the registration section of the policy.
What is the process to request an exemption, and from what if any policy requirements will an exemption release the sponsoring program, department or division?
Program Sponsors may request an exemption from the policy in advance of the registration deadline by working with the sponsoring unit’s senior officer or dean. The request will be vetted through the Provost or appropriate Vice President’s office and passed on to the Minors on Campus Oversight Committee at MinorsOnCampus@cmich.edu for review and presentation to the President. Programs will be advised of the final decision and next steps.
I have concerns about a program involving minors or knowledge of non-compliance with Policy 3-35. What do I do?
To report concerns about potential wrongdoing anonymously, contact the CMU Ethics Hotline at 1-866-294-9379 or file a report here.