Message from President Herbst:
April 1, 2016
To the University Community,
UConn campuses have long been regarded as places that engage the broader community and serve the public good. Children and youth are among those routinely served by our programs and activities. They participate in education programs and athletic camps, engage in agricultural events and leadership workshops, attend mentoring and college preparation programs, and work on research activities alongside many of our staff, faculty, and students.
We are proud to offer such a wide range of opportunities to communities, and are committed to promoting a safe and secure environment for all of the young people who participate in activities at UConn. In furtherance of this commitment, I am pleased to inform you of two recently created resources: 1) UConn’s Protection of Minors policy, and 2) the appointment of a Minor Protection Coordinator. These efforts are intended to serve as a resource to those involved in planning, organizing, and operating activities involving minors.
The policy describes University expectations and practices for the protection of minors, requires the central registration of University-sponsored programs and activities involving minors, and informs all members of the university community of their obligation to report any instances of known or suspected child abuse or neglect. Under the guidance of the Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, the newly hired Minor Protection Coordinator, Omar Andujar will develop and deliver education and training resources, manage the central registration of University-sponsored programs and activities involving minors, provide guidance on meeting compliance with University guidelines, and help with the continuity of University Protection of Minors efforts at the Storrs, regional and UConn Health campuses.
In line with UConn’s path to excellence, these steps will lead to enhanced programs, advanced standards, and a more enriching experience for minors who spend time on our campuses. Mr. Andujar will be in touch in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I invite you to visit UConn’s Protection of Minors website at http://minorprotection.uconn.edu/ for additional information related to this initiative and to join us in this very important effort.
Sincerely,
Susan Herbst
For more information, contact: Kimberly Fearney at kim.fearney@uconn.edu