Programs Serving Minors on Campus
Glossary
The following definitions apply to specifically to the BOR and ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ policies and related procedures that govern programs that serve and include minors on ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ campuses.
Program Director/Responsible University Official
Individuals paid or unpaid, who are authorized by ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ officials to have direct contact with minors, including the supervision of minors. This includes, but is not limited to faculty, staff, volunteers, students, interns, and independent contractors/consultants.
Background Investigation
A report including an individual’s criminal history and sex offender registry.
Campus
Includes all buildings, properties, facilities, and areas that are owned, leased, managed, operated, or controlled by ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§.
Child Abuse
Includes physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by a Program Director/Responsible University Official by other than accidental means provided, however, physical forms of discipline may be used as long as there is no physical injury to the child.
Child Neglect
Child neglect includes neglect or exploitation of a child by a Program Director/Responsible University Official if said neglect or exploitation consists of a lack of supervision, abandonment, or intentional or unintentional disregard by a Program Director/Responsible University Official of a child’s basic needs for food, shelter, medical care, or education as evidenced by repeated incidents or a single incident which places the child at substantial risk of harm.
Contact/Interaction with Minor(s)
Contact that is direct and reasonably anticipated. The term does not include interaction that is merely incidental.
Incident Reporting
´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ has multiple avenues to report all types of incidents or concerns. To report suspected child abuse or neglect and/or accident/safety incidents in programs utilizing ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ facilities and that involve unenrolled minors, the following procedures should be followed:
- ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ Mandated Reporting Procedures
To report suspected child abuse or neglect in programs utilizing ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ facilities and that involve unenrolled minors. Reporting by Program Directors/Responsible University Officials is required by State of Georgia law within 24 hours.
To report University-related incidents/accidents involving employees, students, visitors, and contractors and to submit an ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ Incident Report and Claim Form Accident Information – General Liability.
To report other types of incidents on ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ campuses the following additional avenues are available:
- ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ University Police
Emergencies: 706-507-8911
Non-Emergencies: 706-568-2022
Non-Emergency E-mail: police@columbusstate.edu
This is the website to report incidents related to: an alleged incident(s) of discrimination, harassment (including sexual misconduct), or retaliation.- Create Care ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ Reporting
Create Care ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ is a network made up of all members of the ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ campus community, including you, that work together to promote a safe and successful environment. To share information about a person and observed behaviors and statements that generated the concern.
This is the website to report unethical behavior and policy violations related to: violence and assault; violations of the university policy and procedures; housing, auxiliary services (parking, transportation, bookstore, card services, culinary and hospitality, copy/print services, student health services, retail shopping, postal services), ADA/disability, student activities, university events, facilities, or any other related services; financial aid or registration, records and transcripts; and discrimination. You may choose to provide your contact information or to remain anonymous.
Mandated Reporting
Reporting required by State of Georgia law for anyone who works or volunteers at a child serving agency, which includes ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§, to report suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours (O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5). At ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§, Program Directors/Responsible University Officials as defined above and in the are considered mandated reporters.
Procedures and contact information to report suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours is available on this Mandated Reporting web page of this website.
Anyone who works or volunteers at a child serving agency who is required State of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5) to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors to the appropriate authorities. At ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§, Program Directors/Responsible University Officials as defined above and in the are considered mandated reporters.
Minor
Any child under the age of 18 that is not enrolled as a student at ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§.
Youth Program
Any academic, athletic, educational, leadership, or recreational program or activities
serving one or more non-student minors, including, but not limited to, camps, clinics,
conferences, workshops, tutoring, mentoring, group lessons, seminars, competitions,
internships or experiential learning, conducting or viewing research, after-school
programs, or other enrichment opportunities. Excluded from this definition are:
- any program or activity that is open to the general public and that is not part of a USG/´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ organized Youth Program (Please see Appendix A of the policy);
- a private or personal event (e.g., weddings, birthday parties);
- field trips sponsored and/or organized by schools, school districts, or other similar entities primarily for educational purposes which are supervised by staff from the minors' school/organization;
- Health Services provided by ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§'s health clinic;
- undergraduate and graduate academic programs in which minors are enrolled for academic credit or who have been accepted for enrollment.
Program Director
The primary ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ employee acting on behalf of the Sponsoring Unit who is responsible for the organization and execution of the program, including adherence to BOR and ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ policies. The Program Sponsor is also considered a Program Director/Responsible University Official for the purposes of this policy.
Sponsoring Unit
The academic, administrative or athletic unit of the University that offers a program or facilitates the use of university facilities.
Third Party Activity
Non-University Organization/Third Party: any individual, group, organization, or entity that is not directly affiliated with USG/´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ for which USG/´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ allows for the use of its facilities for the operation of a Youth Program
University-Affiliated Activity
Programs and activities that are organized, managed, sponsored, or controlled by ´ó·¢ÌåÓý¿ª»§ or its students, faculty, or staff in their official University capacities/roles.
