Policy FAQ

The University of Arizona is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all individuals in the university community, particularly minors who participate in university programs. The purpose of the Non-Enrolled Minors Policy is to establish reasonable safeguards to protect non-enrolled minors participating in activities, events, or programs offered by the university.

Any person under 18 years of age not accepted for admittance, admitted, enrolled for academic credit, dually enrolled, or matriculated at the university.

Activities, events, and programs need to be registered annually with the Office of Youth Protection if:

• They are university activities, events, or programs.
• They are open to participation by non-enrolled minors.
• University Designated Campus Colleagues, employees, or students have care, custody, and control of non-enrolled minors.

Activities, events, and programs do not need to be registered with the Office of Youth Protection if:

• They are non-university activities, events, or programs on university property.
• They fall under the exemptions of the Non-Enrolled Minors Policy.

Office of Youth Protection requirements can be found on the Program Checklist.

An authorized representative is a university Designated Campus Colleague, employee, or student, who is at least 18 years of age, who has care, custody, and control of non-enrolled minors in an activity, event, or program registered with the Office of Youth Protection. 

Authorized representatives are required to complete the university’s Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting training every year they work or volunteer for a program that registers with the Office of Youth Protection. The training provides instruction on identifying, preventing, responding to, and reporting child abuse. 

Activities, events, and programs should make reasonable efforts to follow American Camp Association ratios.

Day Program

• 5 years old and younger: 1 authorized representative for every 6 participants (1:6)
• 6-8 years old: 1 authorized representative for every 8 participants (1:8)
• 9-14 years old: 1 authorized representative for every 10 participants (1:10)
• 15-18 years old: 1 authorized representative for every 12 participants (1:12)

Overnight Program

• 5 years old and younger: 1 authorized representative for every 5 participants (1:5)
• 6-8 years old: 1 authorized representative for every 6 participants (1:6)
• 9-14 years old: 1 authorized representative for every 8 participants (1:8)
• 15-18 years old: 1 authorized representative for every 10 participants (1:10)

One-on-one interaction is any interaction between an authorized representative and one or more non-enrolled minors that does not include at least one other authorized representative.

For activities, events, or programs registered with the Office of Youth Protection in-person one-on-one interaction is only permitted when approved by the Office of Youth Protection and when parent/legal guardian authorization is provided. 

Virtual one-on-one interaction is prohibited.

Non-enrolled minors must never be unattended, unsupervised, or left with any person that is not an authorized representative of the activity, event, or program that is registered with the Office of Youth Protection. 

University community members who reasonably believe that a non-enrolled minor is being or has been abused or neglected in a university activity, event, or program, or on university property must:

1. Immediately call the University of Arizona Police Department (520-621-8273).
2. Immediately call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline (1-888-SOS-CHILD or 1-888-767-2445).
3. Submit a University of Arizona Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Form after making those two calls.
4. Notify the program supervisor or unit offering, or which offered, the activity, event, or program.