The University of Wisconsin System introduced new policies on Friday that are aimed to increase protection for minors visiting the various campuses across the state.
According to a release from leadership, the new rules “enhance their safety standards and protocols for protection of minors participating in university-sponsored events” and created a new registration and compliance database for youth activities.
“Thousands of minors, especially during the summer, visit our universities through our many programs and activities,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “We have an obligation to provide the utmost of protection and care when they are here. These additional requirements will add another layer of safety protocols and resources for youth protection.”
The new policy will mandate each youth program cover basic safety protocols: criminal background checks on adults, specific training requirements, and other provisions.
The safety requirements are needed because the various institutions “offer hundreds of academic and recreational precollege programs and activities to youth ages 5-18, such as college and career exploration, academic skill-building, and academic and personal enrichment in the arts, sports, leadership, and STEM.”
All universities in the system have until the end of the year to implement the new procedures.
“UW System continues to strengthen its protection of minors participating in youth activities by supporting our precollege liaisons, program directors, and youth program coordinators to establish and promote policies, trainings, and best practices,” said Regent President Edmund Manydeeds III.
Furthermore, the system recently launched the Youth Activity Registration System (YARS), an online database to manage registrations and compliance across the programs.
Leadership contends the new information will improve the “level of oversight of youth activities at the campus level by tracking the names and contact information of all participants and adults involved in the activities and verifying compliance with background checks and training requirements.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “University of Wisconsin System” by University of Wisconsin System.
