Policy and Reporting

In short, the policy requires:

• The program/activity to register with the Pre-collegiate Programs Office in the Youth Safety Portal (YSP)
• All program/activity staff or volunteers to have a current Background Check on file with CUHR. The program or activity bears the cost of conducting background checks ($50-$150 per background check)
• To sign the Standards of Behavior agreement in the YSP
• To take the Detection, Prevention and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Training in the YSP
• To have at least two screened and training staff supervising the youth participants
• The participants parent/guardian must complete a program/activity participant registration in STRIPES
• Payment of the Support Service Fee
• Purchase of accident and illness insurance for each participant from the Office of Risk and Insurance

Common Misconceptions

• If the youth program is not a “camp,” the Policy does not apply. That may be incorrect. Any Clemson-affiliated youth program or activity may fall within the scope of the Policy and operating standards and must register.
• If the youth program takes place “off campus,” then the Policy does not apply, but that may be incorrect. Any Clemson-affiliated youth program or activity, regardless of the location, may fall within the scope of the Policy and operating standards and must register.

FAQ

How do I obtain a background check?
Download Human Resources Background Check Procedures.

How do I obtain a Drivers Licensing Screening?
Download the DMV Consent document.

How do I obtain a National Sex Offender Registry Check?
All Background Checks and Voluntary Disclosure Statements conducted by Clemson University Office of Human Resources on Personnel working in Clemson University-affiliated youth programs or activities will include a check of the National Sex Offender Registry.

The institution’s policy regarding Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect can be found here (PDF). If you receive information or observe conduct that gives you a reason to believe that a child has been or may be abused or neglected, please take the following steps immediately:

• First, call the Police.
• If the child is in imminent danger, call 911.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency if the child is not in imminent danger. If you are on the Clemson University campus, contact CUPD at 864-656-2222. Otherwise, contact the local law enforcement agency for the city or county in which you or the child is.
• Then, notify anyone else that needs to know within the University. For example, if the child is visiting Clemson as part of a Youth Program, inform the program director or the program director’s supervisor.
• You may also notify one of the following offices for further support:
  • Clemson’s Pre-Collegiate Programs Office: 864-656-5716
  • Office of University Compliance and Ethics: 864-656-8932
  • Office of General Counsel: 864-656-3414

South Carolina law allows the identity of any person who reports abuse or neglect to be kept confidential. In addition, persons who make reports in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability.

South Carolina law also protects persons who make good faith reports from adverse employment action.

Reporting is always the right thing to do when you have reason to believe that a child is the victim of abuse or neglect.

Delegated Student Organizations

A Delegated Student Organization (DSO) is a registered student organization comprised exclusively of Clemson University and Bridge students. The University has delegated certain limited authority to perform specific tasks aligned with the University’s mission. These groups are supervised by Clemson University employees. Therefore, the youth programs and activities undertaken by Delegated Student Organizations may fall within the University protection of minors policy. Please contact the Pre-Collegiate Programs office for information about compliance with the policy by DSO.

Independent Student Organizations

Independent Student Organizations (ISO) are student organizations that have sought to be registered by the University. ISOs are independent legal entities from the University, have no delegated authority from the University, are not under the supervision of the University, and do not perform functions on behalf of the University. Therefore, the youth programs and activities undertaken by ICs are not bound by the University’s protection of minors policy.

Independent Councils

Independent Councils (IC) are student organizations that have sought to be registered by the University. ICs are independent legal entities from the University, have no delegated authority from the University, are not under the supervision of the University, and do not perform functions on behalf of the University. Therefore, the youth programs and activities undertaken by ICs are not bound by the University’s protection of minors policy.

For more information, please review the Clemson University Student Organization Policy.

This policy and its related standards and procedures apply to all University employees, students, affiliates (including volunteers) undertaking the custodial care of minors in Youth Programs. This includes unstructured intern or volunteer activities by faculty or staff. It also includes lessons, coaching, training and tutoring conducted on university facilities.

Please contact the Clemson Office of Human Resources for guidance on how to register your volunteer/intern with that office.

Youth Program: Any program, activity or planned event, regardless of where it is held, that is organized, sponsored, operated or supported by Clemson University and that has one or more minor participants.

Custodial Care: A situation in which a University faculty, staff, student, or affiliate assumes temporary responsibility over a defined time period for the care, custody or control of a minor, for the purpose of the minor engaging in a Youth Program.