Over one thousand undergraduate students at the UW are under the age of 18. These minor students are in classrooms, libraries, labs, residence and dining halls, sports fields, and many other campus settings.
Minor students are exceptional in many ways, and yet have less life experience than their adult peers. There are laws that protect minors in ways that may impact their participation in campus activities and services.
If you interact regularly with students, consider the tips below to support and protect minor students’ safety and well-being during their time at UW:
All UW employees and volunteers are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect of anyone under the age of 18 to Child Protective Services or the police. If suspected abuse or neglect of a minor occurs within a University program or involves a UW employee it must also be reported to UW SafeCampus.
Note: These actions must be taken in addition to Title IX or Clery reporting actions.
The obligation to make a report of suspected abuse may override FERPA and other privacy and confidentiality agreements. Inform minor students about the limits to privacy and confidentiality as it relates to your responsibilities as a mandated reporter.
Parents and guardians still have a responsibility for their minor child’s safety and welfare, even if that child is a UW student. If you believe a minor student is at risk, consider contacting their parents or guardians.
If you’re unsure about disclosing information due to FERPA privacy requirements, consult with the University Registrar.
For additional safety planning support, contact SafeCampus.
When minor students are in labs, shops, studios, makerspaces, or other settings that contain hazardous materials or equipment, safety restrictions apply.
Students aged 16-17 may qualify for a learner exemption, but younger students face stricter limitations. Refer to the Laboratory Safety Manual, pp. 23-24 section “i.” or contact EHS (ehsdept@uw.edu) for more information.
Activities for adult students can pose unique risks to minors. Adjustments can help minors safely participate.
Potentially risky settings include:
- Residential or overnight stays off campus
- Presence of alcohol or drugs (including those that are legal)
- Shared locker rooms or showers
- One-on-one closed door meetings
- Travel to remote locations
Contact the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator to discuss risk mitigation strategies.
Keep in mind: Minor students cannot enter into legal contracts, so include additional signature lines for parents and guardians in addition to the minor student’s signature. Learn more about waivers and acknowledgments of risk (AOR).
Minors can access some healthcare services like birth control and substance abuse treatment without parental consent. However, services such as immunizations, STI screening, and mental health treatment may require parental consent depending on the minor’s age. For more details, refer to the Hall Health consent for care-minor consent policy, or UW Medicine Informed Consent Manual.
Consult with the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator or with other experts on adolescent health practices as needed to build capacity within your team to serve minor students and to ensure that your team meets any specific credentialing requirements and protocols.