保护未成年人 at Boston University
Boston University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of the University community. The safety and well-being of minor children visiting University facilities and participating in University-sponsored programs/activities requires particular vigilance.
What to Do if You Have Concerns Regarding the Safety of a Minor
If you suspect that a minor participating in any BU-sponsored or affiliated program/activity has been abused or neglected, or you have any concerns regarding the health or safety of a minor participant, you must take the following steps:
STEP 1. Contact Law Enforcement
Notify Law Enforcement immediately.
- On Campus: Contact the Boston University Police Department (BUPD) at 617-353-2121 (CRC and Fenway Campus) or 617-358-4444 (Med Campus)
- Off Campus: 911 or local law enforcement
Remain with the minor until help arrives.
STEP 2. Complete Boston University’s Minors Safety Concern Report Form
A Minors Safety Concern Report Form must be filled out no later than four hours after initial BUPD/law enforcement contact. The Form is available in the following formats:
- Minors Safety Concern Report Form (Online Webform) – Webform is automatically sent to the appropriate offices once you submit, including the Boston University Police Department (BUPD), the Office of Risk Management, the Human Resources Office, and the Compliance Services Office.
- Minors Safety Concern Report Form (Word Version) – Must be emailed to BUPD via bupolice@bu.edu. Refer to specific instructions on the form for details on how to submit the form.
- Minors Safety Concern Report Form (PDF Version) – Must be emailed to BUPD via bupolice@bu.edu. Refer to specific instructions on the form for details on how to submit the form.
The Minors Safety Concern Report Form must be completed when someone knows, suspects, or receives information that the health or safety of a minor participating in any BU-sponsored or affiliated program/activity may be at risk (including suspected abuse or neglect). Concerns may include a specific incident that occurred on/off campus, a suspicion of abuse or neglect, or a suspicion that a minor may be a threat to himself/herself or to others.
Details of the Minors Safety Concern Report Form and methods for reporting are also available in the 保护未成年人 Policy Appendix B.
STEP 3. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
Use the Child-at-Risk Hotline, any time of the day or night, at 800-792-5200. Note that you can coordinate this step with BUPD or local law enforcement.
STEP 4. Notify a BU Employee with Authority
Promptly notify your supervisor, program director/operator, or dean, when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Definition of a Minor
A minor is any person under the age of 18 who is not a matriculated Boston University student and is unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who should I contact if I want to start a program involving minors on campus?
A. If you wish to start a program involving minors, it is important that your program is in compliance with the 保护未成年人 Policy. In order to ensure compliance, please contact the Minors Program Coordinator for your school or department, who will be able to assist you with registering your program with HR, as well as submitting background check and training requests. If you are unsure of who serves as your Minors Program Coordinator, refer to the list available through the 保护未成年人 Sharepoint site or contact the 保护未成年人 inbox at pom@bu.edu.
Q. How do I know if the 保护未成年人 policy applies to my school/department's program?
A. The 保护未成年人 policy applies to minors programs. Minors programs are programs that include direct contact with minors where the care, custody, and control of the minor is taken over from the parent or guardian, whether the program is on or off campus, and whether BU sponsors the program or a Third Party sponsors the program. Verify if your program involves minors as defined by the policy. You may also reference the Which Policy Applies Flowchart for additional guidance.
For the purposes of the 保护未成年人 policy, Boston University considers a minor to be any person under the age of 18 who is not a matriculated* Boston University or Boston University Academy student and who is unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Exception: A person under the age of 18 who is participating in any Boston University Institutional Review Board-approved research activity is not considered a minor under this Policy.
- * Matriculated Student – a student is considered matriculated upon the first day of classes or if he or she participates in any University operated and supervised activity occurring prior to the first official day of class.
Q. Who do I contact for questions about the 保护未成年人 Policy and Procedures?
A. For questions regarding interpreting the 保护未成年人 Policy, you may contact the PoM Mailbox managed by Human Resources at POM@bu.edu.
Q. Who do I contact for questions about conducting background checks for program staff, volunteers and students?
Q. When completing background check forms, how do I verify identification for remote individuals?
A. If an employer or governmental licensing agency is unable to verify a subject’s identity and signature in person, the subject may submit a completed CORI Acknowledgement Form acknowledged by the subject before a notary public.
Q. How do I access the 保护未成年人 on-line training program for staff, volunteers and students access?
A. To access the 保护未成年人 online training, please contact your Minors Program Coordinator. If you are unsure of who serves as your Minors Program Coordinator, refer to the list available through the 保护未成年人 Sharepoint site or contact the 保护未成年人 inbox at pom@bu.edu.
Q. I'm a Minors Program Coordinator for my school, college, or department. How do I access additional resources (like the SharePoint site, training, or list of other MPCs)?
A. The Minors Program Coordinator SharePoint site contains all of the additional resources for MPCs, including the MPC Toolkit, which can also be accessed here. To receive access to the MPC SharePoint or for any other questions, please email pom@bu.edu.
Legal & Educational Resources
Q. I have questions about whether or not the population we will be hosting is considered matriculated or not matriculated. How do I determine matriculation?
A. Questions regarding what populations are considered matriculated should be referred to the Office of the University Registrar. Their contact email is registrar@bu.edu, and their website lists other ways to contact their office.
