Welcome to Pre-Collegiate Programs Office

Clemson University’s Pre-Collegiate Programs Office (PcPO) is commissioned by the President of Clemson University to support a high-quality, safe environment for children that participate in programs affiliated with our University. The PcPO takes a proactive approach to protecting children and the employees, faculty and staff of the University. 

Plan a Youth Program or Activity

General Information for the Clemson University Community

The Clemson University Pre-Collegiate Programs (or Youth Programs) Policy and Procedure applies to all Clemson University programs designed for individuals under 18 years of age, whether operated on or off campus, where the program participants are to be left in the care and supervision, “Custodial Care,” of Clemson University faculty, employee, student or volunteer.  Any faculty, employee, student, or volunteer, paid or unpaid, directly working with minors in programs or activities affiliated with the university may fall within the scope of this policy.

To determine if your activity or program is an activity or program with minors, answer the questions below:

• Question 1: Is this a program or activity with minors?
  To be considered a program or activity with minors, university programs must meet all of the following criteria:

  1) Is it operated, conducted or organized by the university?

  • • Is there enough oversight that one might consider this to be Clemson University affiliated? If you have control over the staffing, programming, etc., it is likely you meet this measure.
    • NOT limited to programs that are operating during the summer months, even if the youth program is year-round it may meet this measure. 

  2) Does it include minors?

  • • Individuals under 18 years of age, and
    • Who have NOT graduated from High School.

  3) Are parents, guardians or chaperones NOT expected to be responsible for the supervision and care of the minors?

  • • The university is knowingly supervising the participants, i.e., the youth are:

  1. 1. 1. Registered in a program, and
        2. In the care and supervision of a CU faculty, employee, student or volunteer, whether paid or unpaid, for a period of time

  • • General events open to the public, sporting events, fairs, festivals, entertainment events, etc. where CU likely expects parents and guardians to be responsible for their children or to make appropriate arrangements do not fall under this policy.
    • If you do expect parents and guardians to be present and want to make expectations clear, you can use this policy language in your promotional materials: Clemson University expects parents or guardians to provide supervision over minors on campus unless they are involved in a program or activity with minors. Parents or guardians should not leave minors unsupervised on university property.

  Action Item: Registration

  If you answered yes to all three criteria, then you fall within scope of the policy and need to Register the activity/program before the start of the program. The information being requested is very involved, so time will be needed to complete the process. General guidelines are to begin the process 90 days prior to the start of the program or activity. Program registration is an annual requirement.

• Question 2: Does Clemson University have “custody care?

  Custodial Care is defined as “when an adult(s) is present and has primary responsibility for the care, supervision, guidance or control of minors at any given point during the program or activity with minors. No parent, guardian, teacher, or chaperone is present and responsible for their care or supervision”

  Who is making decisions for the minor, i.e., calling home if someone gets hurt? If that person is a Clemson University faculty, staff, student or volunteer, then you need to follow the CU Operating Standards for Youth Programs.  

  Also, please note that the policy requires minors to be supervised at all times. It is suggested that more than one adult have custodial care responsibility to allow flexibility when unforeseen events or emergencies occur.

  Custodial Care requirements and action steps:

  1. Follow all applicable Operating Standards for Youth Programs,
  2. Directors and program staff must obtain a background check or complete an annual disclosure statement. In general, new personnel require a background check, returning personnel may need to complete an Annual Voluntary Disclosure Statement. Review the Staff Screening (SS-1 & SS-2) for further guidance. 
  3. Complete required staff training (ST-1) including “Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Reporting Training.”
  4. Sign the “Standards of Behavior for Employees/Volunteers.” Note that this includes a general prohibition on one-on-one interactions with minors.

Plan a Youth Program or Activity FAQ