Skip to main content

Code of Conduct for Interacting with Minors

Per Boise State University Policy 12060 (Protection of Minors), all faculty, staff, students, contractors, subcontractors, and volunteers who interact with minors through University-sponsored or -affiliated programs or activities (“University Program”) are required to comply with the following code of conduct when interacting with minors.

  • Do not spend time alone, either on or off campus, with a Minor away from others.
    1. If one-on-one interaction is required, meet in open, well-lit rooms or spaces with windows observable by other adults from the University Program.
    2. It is expected that activities where Minors are present will involve two or more authorized adults.
    3. When it is not possible to comply with the above, parents/guardians of Minors must sign a specific waiver acknowledging they understand their Minor is engaged in a University Program requiring a one-on-one interaction (Minor to Adult) such as a private lesson or medical exam.
  • Do not engage in any sexualized behavior with, or within the vicinity of, Minors, including but not limited to: engaging in sexual actions, making sexual comments, telling sexual jokes, or sharing or viewing sexually explicit material with or within the vicinity of Minors, except as necessary for University Program relevant academic content or providing competent medical services.
  • Do not touch Minors in a manner that a reasonable person could interpret as inappropriate, including but not limited to:
    1. Contact with a Minor’s breasts, buttocks, groin, or genitals, or touching a Minor with any of these body parts;
    2. Making a Minor touch themselves or another person with or on the breasts, buttocks, groin, or genitals;
    3. Other bodily contact in a sexual manner, though not involving contact with breasts, buttocks, groin, genitals, or mouth, for example back or shoulder massages.
    4. Bodily contact required to provide competent medical services is explicitly exempted from this section.
  • Do not shower, bathe, or undress with or in the presence of a Minor.
  • Do not engage in any abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of a Minor, including, but not limited to: verbal abuse, hitting, punching, poking, or inappropriate restraining, except as required to protect a Minor or others from harm. All incidents involving such conduct, whether or not required to protect a Minor or others from harm, must be documented and disclosed promptly to the University Program Director and the Minor’s parent/guardian.
  • Be aware of the impact of words and language upon Minors.
  • Do not use, possess, share, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on duty or when responsible for a Minor’s welfare. The misuse of prescription medications shall be determined to be a violation. Refer to the University Drug & Alcohol policy for additional information
  • Do not possess, wear, carry, transport or use a weapon as defined by University Policy 12080 (Possession of Firearms/Weapons on University-Owned or –Controlled Premises), while on duty or responsible for a Minor’s welfare, or while on University-owned or controlled premises.
  • Do not distribute any medication or dietary supplement to a Minor without prior written approval of the Minor’s parent/guardian, except in case of emergency.
  • Do not meet with Minors outside of established times for University Program activities. Any exceptions require prior written parental authorization and must include more than one adult from the University
  • Do not engage or converse with Minors through phone calls, email, text messages, social networking websites, or other forms of social media at any time except and unless there is an educational or programmatic purpose and the content of the communications is consistent with the mission of the University Program and the University.
  • When transporting Minors in a University Program, more than one adult from the University Program must be present in the vehicle, except when multiple Minors will be in the vehicle at all times through the transportation. Avoid using personal vehicles whenever possible. When it is not possible to comply with this guideline, parents/guardians of Minors must sign a specific waiver acknowledging that they understand their Minor is engaged in a University Program that requires one-on-one interaction (Minor to Adult).
  • Do not tell Minors “this is just between the two of us” or use similar language that encourages Minors to keep secrets from their parent/guardians.