Protection of Minors

The College of Charleston is dedicated to the welfare and safety of youth who visit the College’s campus, who participate in the College’s programs, or who are entrusted to the College’s care. As such, the College of Charleston will not tolerate the abuse of minors in any form.

To ensure the protection of minors (i.e., non-CofC students under the age of 18), the College has established measures to screen individuals and monitor compliance with relevant campus policies and standards. The procedures referenced on this page apply to: 

  • Internal programs - Any College of Charleston unit operating a camp, program, or activity involving minors, regardless of frequency, location, or mode (i.e., in-person, virtual, hybrid). Exceptions: care provided by the N.E. Miles Early Childhood Development Center is governed by state and accrediting agencies and youth programs operated by College of Charleston Athletics follow a separate set of guidelines.Other exceptions may be determined by College senior leadership. 
  • External programs - Any non-College of Charleston organization or entity operating a camp, program, or activity involving minors on the College of Charleston campus or in any College facility

The protection of minors process is managed through a collaboration involving the Office of Institutional Diversity and the Office of Legal Affairs.

For more information, contact: youthprotection@cofc.edu 

Youth Program Requirements

**Any youth program must be pre-approved by the appropriate Dean or Vice President**

The youth program registration process consists of: (a) submission of registration request form, (b) documentation of compliance requirements via the verification form, and (c) receipt of confirmation email that program registration is complete. Registrations are valid from August 15-August 14. 

Step #1 - Youth Program Registration Request Form - Any youth program operating on behalf of the College or on the College’s campus must submit a Youth Program Registration Request Form each year of operation. Submission is the responsibility of the youth program director. The registration request prompts additional steps that must be completed prior to the start of the program; therefore, it is recommended that the registration request be submitted at least 45 business days in advance to allow time for the remaining steps. Only registered youth programs are known to have met all compliance requirements. 

Step #2 - Youth Program Director Verification Form – Upon receipt and review of the Youth Program Registration Request Form, this office will send the youth program director an email (with copy to College Sponsor) detailing the documentation needed to verify that all applicable requirements have been met. The youth program director will confirm completion of all requirements prior to the start of the youth program by submitting the Youth Program Director Verification Form. 

Step #3 - A youth program is not considered registered until the youth program director has received email confirmation from this office that all requirements have been met. Unregistered youth programs are not authorized to operate. 

Youth program requirements include:

For staff/volunteers

  • Statement of Acknowledgement for Working with Minors 
  • Child sexual abuse prevention training (Note: one-time requirement)
  • Criminal history background check and review (Note: checks older than 36 months are not acceptable)
  • Sexual offender registry search

For legal guardians

  • Liability and photo release waivers
  • Health insurance for participating youth

For program directors

  • Facility use agreement
  • Accident and liability insurance
  • Coordination with CofC Public Safety for safety and traffic control
  • Other requirements as determined

College Sponsor - Each youth program is expected to have a College Sponsor. Every College Sponsor must be pre-authorized by the appropriate Dean or Executive Vice President. College Sponsors are responsible for ensuring the youth program director remains in compliance with College requirements and best practices. For external programs, College Sponsors serve as liaisons and the primary point of contact between the program and the College. College Sponsors must also retain specified program documents for liability purposes. 

For internal programs, the College Sponsor is the College of Charleston department or unit operating or hosting the program.

For external programs, the College Sponsor is the employee, department, or unit serving as the liaison between the program and the College. 

For the purposes of protection of minors, a College Sponsor is not assumed to have a financial commitment to the program. 

Resources

Relevant College of Charleston policies: Protection of Minors and Prohibition of Discrimination and Harassment including Sexual Harassment and Abuse. For full list of College policies, click here.

Visit the American Camp Association's webpage for resources to help you plan your program.