Protection of Minors

To reserve space on Mines Campus for your event, please reach out to Campus Events, separately, to obtain space.

If you plan to use a Mines computer lab, please follow the steps below to ensure your lab is reserved appropriately:

• Contact the Registrar’s office for availability of the computer labs (and/or rooms) you specified for the dates requested as well as any department that requires prior permission for the space.
• Computer access may be granted to guests and visitors who do/will not have a Mines role that would otherwise allow them access to Mines computing resources. Each guest will be given an individual account that will expire upon departure. No accounts can be shared as this is a violation of the school’s Appropriate Use Policy. Violation of this policy will result in removal of accounts. All users must read and agree to the Technology Resource Access Agreement for Affiliated Programs.
• If minors will be using the accounts a Mines Minor’s Computer Use Waiver Form must be completed. Additional information for parents/guardians should also be read and understood. The minor and parents must also read and agree to the Technology Resource Access Agreement (above) as this form is required to communicate to parents that our network is not restricted.

The following guidelines apply when Minors are present in Mines’ laboratories and maker spaces. For any clarification needed, please contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

Age Restrictions:

• Minors are prohibited from entering machine shops under any circumstances.
• Minors age 12 and older may participate in approved activities in laboratories and maker spaces.
• Minors age 10 to 12 may enter laboratories or maker spaces for brief visits or demonstrations (not to exceed 30 minutes) if conditions in policy are met.
• Minors under the age of 10 are not permitted in laboratories or maker spaces under any circumstances.

Approval Process for Minors Participation:

• Complete the Notification of Events with Minors form.
• Obtain written approval from both the department head and EHS.
• Obtain written consent from the Minor Participant’s parent or legal guardian.
• Ensure all Minor Participants complete required safety training, administered by the department of EHS.
• Confirm Minor Participants are properly supervised at all times, wearing appropriate attire and are equipped with required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Training is required for all Mines employees and students as well as all third party organizations sponsoring events involving Minors.  For an in-person training, contact the Office of Risk Management. The Program Director/Hosting Department is responsible for the training and tracking of compliance.

• Shine a Light video by United Educators (9 minutes) highlights child safety and the importance of safety awareness in programs involving minors. 
• Additional training may be assigned by the Office of Risk Management for event and program organizers as needed.

•  All Mines students, employees and volunteers interacting with minors in a Mines sponsored event, activity, camp or program must have a cleared criminal background check completed within the last two years. The Office of Risk Management will work with each event sponsor to coordinate the background checks through the Mines Human Resources Department.
• Completion of background checks can take up to two (2) weeks, so event planners should submit the Notification of Event with Minors Form a minimum of three (3) weeks before the event. Please collect your volunteer information utilizing the Volunteer Collection Sheet.
• The Program Director or Hosting Department is responsible for ensuring that all background checks are processed prior to allowing a student or employee to work in a Mines program or activity with minors.
• For more information, the Background Investigation Policy is available in the Policy Library.
• Third-Parties:  All third-party organizations hosting events on the  Mines Campus that involve minors must provide a certification to Office of Risk Management that they have determined through background check or otherwise if any of  their employees and volunteers, have a criminal conviction or other adverse information which could impact the safety and well-being of other individuals on Mines Campus, especially minors.
  • Examples of information that must be reported include:
    • all felony convictions
    • all assault convictions
    • all convictions at any level that involve a minor
    • all convictions of any type that resulted in injury to others
    • and any information of a similar nature.

• For non-Mines assistance, contact 1-844-CO-4-Kids to report child abuse and neglect.
• The Colorado Office of Children Youth and Families has additional information on abuse and neglect.

The Minor Activity Incident Report Form is to be used for all incidents of illness, medical accident/injury, and program rule violations including all incidents where participants are given a warning in which consequences are stated, or any early departures. Incidents are to be documented completely and emailed to the Risk Manager at minors@mines.edu.

1. Read the Policy.
2. Complete the online form for the program at least three (3) weeks in advance of the activity.
3. Ensure all personnel have appropriate background checks.
4. Train all personnel on how to recognize abuse/neglect and how to report at Mines.
5. Report a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child to the Campus Police @ 303-273-3333.

Non-university organizations and entities that operate non-university programs on campus (including, but not limited to Recognized Student Organizations, lessees, etc.) are obligated to be familiar with this policy, ensure their staff, volunteers and participants are familiar with this policy, and take appropriate precautions to protect Minors participating in or attending their programs.

Mines is committed to the safety of all individuals in its community and has a particular concern for those who are potentially vulnerable, including minors who require special attention and protection. The Protection of Minors on Campus Policy was adopted to provide guidance for our community-at-large when children and teens are participating in a Mines’ sponsored program, as well as for our enrolled students who may be under the legal age of 18 years.

A minor is any person under the age of eighteen (18) years in Colorado.  Do not confuse with “miner” as that refers to a person who works in a mine.

This policy provides broad safeguards intended to better protect minors when they are on the Mines campus, participating in Mines’ programs and activities designed to include minors, or when they are in the care of Mines’ personnel.

The policy does not apply to:

• Paid or unpaid employment, including internships, of individuals under the age of 18 not associated with a Minor Activity.
• Events open to the general public, where Minors attend with parents or guardians and no custodial care is provided (sporting events, open lectures, etc).
• Private events held on Mines’ Campus limited to family, friends, or invited guests (weddings, family reunions, etc).
• Interactions incidental to normal campus operations, such as campus tours or public facility usage, where no custodial care is involved.
• State-licensed preschool, childcare, day camp, and daycare programs.
• Minors who are enrolled at Mines as students in degree-granting program.

Yes.  The policy establishes requirements for non-university organizations and entities, including but not limited to Recognized Student Organizations, that operate non-university programs or activities designed to include minors. Recognized Student Organizations include a student organization or club (club activity, club sport) registered with the Board of Student Organizations.  Since Student Organizations are considered external for purposes of the policy they must determine how they will comply with the policy.

In summary, child abuse and neglect means an act or omission that threatens the health or welfare of a person under 18 years of age. As defined in Colorado state statute (C.R.S. § 19- 1-103). Please consult the statute for a full definition.

If you reasonably suspect that a minor/child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, please do not delay and report that immediately to the Public Safety Office (campus police) at 273-3333, or the appropriate local police department if Mines’ Program is operating off-campus. 

In addition, please report the incident to Mines Office of Risk Management at minors@mines.edu.

Yes.  Please contact the Office of Risk Management and arrange for training at your location.  Also, there are materials posted above that you can utilize to review with your group. Training is a required portion of the activity prior to contact with Minors.

Yes.  The State of Colorado has excellent resources on abuse and neglect.  There is a training module available for teachers and other mandatory reporters if you want more information.  See https://www.coloradocwts.com/mandated-reporter-training.  Also, the Colorado Child Abuse Prevention line may be called 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (264-5437) to report child abuse and neglect anywhere in Colorado.

No, contact Human Resources to follow the hiring process.

Any questions or notification inquiries should be emailed to minors@mines.edu.