{"id":5,"date":"2024-04-12T10:40:15","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T14:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/protection-of-minors\/"},"modified":"2025-05-01T11:28:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:28:28","slug":"protection-of-minors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/","title":{"rendered":"Protection of Minors at Boston University"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><strong>Boston University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of the University community. The safety and well-being of minor children visiting University facilities and participating in University-sponsored programs\/activities requires particular vigilance.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h2>What to Do if You Have Concerns Regarding the Safety of a Minor<\/h2>\n<p>If you suspect that a minor participating in any BU-sponsored or affiliated program\/activity has been abused or neglected, or you have any concerns regarding the health or safety of a minor participant, you must take the following steps:<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>STEP 1. Contact Law Enforcement<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Notify Law Enforcement immediately.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On Campus: Contact the Boston University Police Department (BUPD) at 617-353-2121 (CRC and Fenway Campus) or 617-358-4444 (Med Campus)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">Off Campus: <\/span><span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">911 or local law enforcement <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">Remain with the minor until help arrives.<\/span><span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>STEP 2. Complete Boston University&#8217;s Minors Safety Concern Report Form<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>Minors Safety Concern Report Form<\/strong> must be filled out no later than four hours after initial BUPD\/law enforcement contact. The <strong>Form<\/strong> is available in the following formats:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/minors-safety-concern-reporting-form\/\">Minors Safety Concern Report Form (Online Webform)<\/a> &#8211; Webform is automatically sent to the appropriate offices once you submit, including the Boston University Police Department (BUPD), the Office of Risk Management, the Human Resources Office, and the Compliance Services Office.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/policies\/files\/2015\/07\/BUPD-Report-Minors-Safety-Concern-Form-2024.docx\">Minors Safety Concern Report Form (Word Version)<\/a> &#8211; Must be emailed to <a title=\"Email BUPD\" href=\"mailto:bupolice@bu.edu\">BUPD<\/a> via bupolice@bu.edu. Refer to specific instructions on the form for details on how to submit the form.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/policies\/files\/2015\/07\/BUPD-Report-Minors-Safety-Concern-Form-2024.docx\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/policies\/files\/2015\/07\/BUPD-Report-Minors-Safety-Concern-Form-2024.pdf\">Minors Safety Concern Report Form (PDF Version)<\/a>\u00a0&#8211; Must be emailed to <a title=\"Email BUPD\" href=\"mailto:bupolice@bu.edu\">BUPD<\/a> via bupolice@bu.edu. Refer to specific instructions on the form for details on how to submit the form.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>The <strong>Minors Safety Concern Report Form<\/strong>\u00a0 must <\/span>be completed when someone knows, suspects, or receives information that the health or safety of a minor participating in any BU-sponsored or affiliated program\/activity may be at risk (including suspected abuse or neglect). Concerns may include a specific incident that occurred on\/off campus, a suspicion of abuse or neglect, or a suspicion that a minor may be a threat to himself\/herself or to others.<\/p>\n<p>Details of the <span><strong>Minors Safety Concern Report Form <\/strong>and methods for reporting are also available in the Protection of Minors Policy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/policies\/pom-appendix-b-reporting-materials\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Appendix B<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>STEP 3. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Children &amp; Families<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use the Child-at-Risk Hotline, any time of the day or night, at 800-792-5200. Note that you can coordinate this step with BUPD or local law enforcement.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>STEP 4. Notify a BU Employee with Authority<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Promptly notify your supervisor, program director\/operator, or dean, when it is safe and appropriate to do so.<\/p>\n<h2>Definition of a Minor<\/h2>\n<p>A minor is any person under the age of 18 who is not a matriculated Boston University student and is unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. Who should I contact if I want to start a program involving minors on campus?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>A. If you wish to start a program involving minors, it is important that your program is in compliance with the Protection of Minors Policy. \u00a0In order to ensure compliance, please contact the Minors Program Coordinator for your school or department, who will be able to assist you \u00a0with registering your program with HR, as well as submitting background check and training requests.\u00a0 If you are unsure of who serves as your Minors Program Coordinator, refer to the list available through the <a href=\"https:\/\/bushare.sharepoint.com\/sites\/compliance\/protection-of-minors\/SitePages\/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Protection of Minors Sharepoint site<\/a> or contact the Protection of Minors inbox at <a href=\"mailto:pom@bu.edu\">pom@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. How do I know if the Protection of Minors policy applies to my school\/department's program?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>A. The Protection of Minors policy applies to minors programs.\u00a0Minors programs are p<i>rograms<\/i> that include <i>direct contact with minors \u00a0where the care, custody, and control of the minor is taken over from the parent or guardian, whether the program is <\/i>on or off campus, and \u00a0whether BU sponsors the program or a Third Party sponsors the program. Verify if your program involves minors as defined by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/policies\/protection-of-minors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">policy<\/a>. \u00a0You may also reference the\u00a0<a href=\"\/safety\/files\/2018\/01\/Which-Policy-Applies-Flowchart-9.12.17.pdf\">Which Policy Applies Flowchart<\/a>\u00a0for additional guidance.<\/p>\n<p>For the purposes of the Protection of Minors policy, Boston University considers a minor to be any person under the age of 18 who is <strong>not<\/strong> a \u00a0matriculated* Boston University or Boston University Academy student <em><strong>and<\/strong><\/em> who is unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exception: A person under the age of 18 who is participating in any Boston University Institutional Review Board-approved research activity is not considered a minor under this Policy.<\/li>\n<li>* Matriculated Student \u2013 a student is considered matriculated upon the first day of classes or if he or she participates in any University operated and supervised activity occurring prior to the first official day of class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. Who do I contact for questions about the Protection of Minors Policy and Procedures?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>A. For questions regarding interpreting the Protection of Minors Policy, you may contact the PoM Mailbox managed by Human Resources at \u00a0<a href=\"mailto:POM@bu.edu\">POM@bu.edu<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. Who do I contact for questions about conducting background checks for program staff, volunteers and students?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>A. The background check process for people working with minors programs is explained on a page on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/background-checks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this website<\/a> [URL: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/background-checks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u00a0http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/safety\/protecting-minors\/background-checks\/].<\/a>\u00a0 For additional \u00a0information or to check the status of a background check, you may contact the HR Service Center:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0Phone:\u00a0<\/strong><span>617-353-2380<br \/>\n<\/span><b>\u00a0Fax: <\/b>888-975-1568<br \/>\n<b>Email: <\/b><a href=\"mailto:HR@bu.edu\">HR@bu.edu<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. When completing <\/strong><strong>background check forms, how do I verify identification for remote individuals?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>A. If an employer or governmental licensing agency is unable to verify a subject&#8217;s identity and signature in person, the subject may submit a \u00a0completed CORI Acknowledgement Form acknowledged by the subject before a notary public.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. How do I access the Protection of Minors online training program for staff, volunteers and students access?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>A. To access the Protection of Minors online training, u<span data-contrast=\"auto\">se the United Educators Online Training Instructions which detail how to access the course. They are available through this Protection of Minors website on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/minors-policy-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy Training<\/a> webpage, and also included here: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Word Instructions:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/files\/2024\/05\/United-Educators-Training-Instructions-5.30.24.docx\">United-Educators-Training-Instructions 5.30.24<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PDF Instructions:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/files\/2024\/05\/United-Educators-Training-Instructions-5.30.24.pdf\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/files\/2024\/05\/United-Educators-Training-Instructions-5.30.24.pdf\">United-Educators-Training-Instructions 5.30.24<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once online training is complete, please save your completion certificate and send it to your\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/safety\/mpc-contact\/\"><span>Minors Program Coordinator<\/span><\/a>. If you are unsure of who serves as your Minors Program Coordinator, refer to the list available through the <a href=\"https:\/\/bushare.sharepoint.com\/sites\/compliance\/protection-of-minors\/SitePages\/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Protection of Minors Sharepoint site<\/a> or contact the Protection of Minors inbox at <a href=\"mailto:pom@bu.edu\">pom@bu.edu<\/a>. Human Resources also maintains a list of those individuals who have completed the training, which is updated regularly and is available on the Shrarepoint site.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. I'm a Minors Program Coordinator for my school, college, or department. How do I access additional resources (like the SharePoint site, training, or list of other MPCs)?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<p>A. The Minors Program Coordinator SharePoint site contains all of the additional resources for MPCs, including the MPC Toolkit, which can \u00a0also be accessed\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bushare.sharepoint.com\/sites\/compliance\/protection-of-minors\/SitePages\/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>. To receive access to the MPC SharePoint or for any other questions, \u00a0please email <a href=\"mailto:pom@bu.edu\">pom@bu.edu<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Legal &amp; Educational Resources<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/malegislature.gov\/Laws\/GeneralLaws\/PartI\/TitleXVII\/Chapter119\/Section51a\">Massachusetts Mandated Reporter Law, at M.G.L. c. 119, \u00a7 51A<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/information-about-recreational-camps-in-massachusetts-questions-and-answers-for-parents\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Information About Recreational Camps in Massachusetts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cityofboston.gov\/images_documents\/Application%20Guidelines_tcm3-3991.pdf\">City of Boston\u2013Boston Fire Department\/Fire Prevention Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/files\/documents\/2017\/10\/17\/606cmr7.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Standards for the Licensure or Approval of Family Child Care, Small Group, School Age, and Large Group Child Care Programs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Q. I have questions about whether or not the population we will be hosting is considered matriculated or not matriculated. How do I determine matriculation?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>A. Questions regarding what populations are considered matriculated should be referred to the Office of the University Registrar. Their contact email is <a href=\"mailto:registrar@bu.edu\">registrar@bu.edu<\/a>, and their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website<\/a> lists other ways to contact their office.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boston University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of the University community. The safety and well-being of minor children visiting University facilities and participating in University-sponsored programs\/activities requires particular vigilance. What to Do if You Have Concerns Regarding the Safety of a Minor If you suspect that a minor participating in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12908,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12908"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions\/107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/protection-of-minors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}