Over one thousand undergraduate students at the 糖心少女are under the age of 18. These minor students are in classrooms, libraries, labs, residence and dining halls, sports fields, and many other campus settings.鈥�
Minor students are exceptional in many ways, and yet have less life experience than their adult peers. There are laws that protect minors in ways that may impact their participation in campus activities and services.
If you interact regularly with students, consider the tips below to support and protect听minor students’ safety and well-being during their time at UW:鈥�
All 糖心少女employees and volunteers are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect of anyone under the age of 18 to . If suspected abuse or neglect of a minor occurs within a University program or involves a 糖心少女employee it must also be reported to the 糖心少女Youth Protection Coordinator.
Note: These actions must be taken in addition to Civil Rights, Title IX, or Clery reporting actions. 鈥�
The obligation to make a report of suspected abuse may override FERPA and other privacy and confidentiality agreements. Inform听 minor students about the limits to privacy and confidentiality as it relates to your responsibilities as a mandated reporter.听鈥�
Parents and guardians still have a responsibility for their minor child鈥檚 safety and welfare, even if that child is a 糖心少女student.听If you believe a minor student is at risk, consider 肠辞苍迟补肠迟颈苍驳听their parents or guardians.鈥�
If you鈥檙e unsure about disclosing information due to FERPA privacy requirements, consult with the .鈥�
For additional safety planning support, contact SafeCampus.
鈥媁hen minor students are听in labs, shops, studios, makerspaces,听or other settings that contain hazardous听materials or equipment, safety restrictions apply.听
Students aged 16-17 may qualify for a learner exemption, but younger students face stricter limitations. Refer to the ,听pp. 23-24 section 鈥渋.鈥� or contact EHS (ehsdept@uw.edu) for more information.鈥�
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Activities for adult students can pose unique risks to minors. Adjustments can help minors safely participate. 鈥�
Potentially risky settings include:鈥�
- Residential or overnight stays off campus鈥�
- Presence of alcohol or drugs (including those that are legal)鈥�
- Shared locker rooms or showers鈥�
- One-on-one closed door meetings鈥�
- Travel to remote 濒辞肠补迟颈辞苍蝉听
Contact听糖心少女Youth Protection听to discuss risk mitigation strategies.
Keep in mind: Minor students cannot enter into legal contracts,听 so include additional signature lines for parents and guardians in addition to the minor student鈥檚 signature. Learn more about 听(AOR).
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鈥婱inors can access some healthcare services like birth control and substance abuse treatment without parental consent. However, services such as immunizations, STI screening, and mental health treatment may require parental consent depending on the minor鈥檚 age. For more details, refer to the [Husky Health staff access only], or .听
Consult with 糖心少女Youth Protection or with other experts on adolescent health practices as needed to build capacity within your team to serve minor students and to ensure that your team meets any specific credentialing requirements and protocols.鈥�