Standards of Behavior

Oakland University Policy Excerpt
Policy 630 – Youth Program Protection Policy
https://www.oakland.edu/policies/health-and-safety/630/

Standards of Behavior
Authorized Adults are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this policy, the Youth Protection website and these standards of behavior. The following standards of behavior are expected to be adhered to in order to prevent harm to Youths or behaviors that could be misinterpreted:

• Do not engage in any sexual activity, make sexual comments, tell sexual jokes, or share sexually explicit material (or assist in any way to provide access to such material) with Youths.
• Do not be alone with a Youth. If One-on-one Contact is required, meet in an open, wellilluminated space or room with windows observable by other adults from the Youth Program, unless the One-on-one Contact expressly authorized by the Youth Program Administrator, dean, and department chair or is being undertaken by a healthcare provider.
• Do not meet with Youths outside of established times for Youth Program activities.
• Do not invite individual Youths to your home. Any exceptions require written authorization by the Youth Program Administrator and written authorization by a parent/guardian.
• Do not engage or allow Youths to engage you in romantic or sexual conversations, or related matters, unless required in the role of resident advisors, counselors, or health care providers.
• Do not engage or communicate with Youths through email, text messages, social networking websites, internet chat rooms, or other forms of social media at any time except and unless there is an educational or programmatic purpose and the content of the communication is consistent with the mission of the Youth Program and the University.
• Do not touch Youths in a manner that a reasonable person could interpret as inappropriate. Touching should generally only be in the open and in response to the Youth’s needs, for a purpose that is consistent with the Youth Program’s mission and culture, and/or for a clear educational, developmental, or health related (i.e. treatment of an injury) purpose. Any resistance from the Youth should be respected.
• Do not engage in any abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of, a Youth, including but not limited to verbal abuse, striking, hitting, punching, poking, spanking, or restraining. If restraint is necessary to protect a Youth or other Youths from harm, all incidents must be documented and disclosed to the Youth Program Administrator, Youth Policy/Clery Compliance Coordinator, and the Youth’s parent/guardian.
• Do not use, possess or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on duty or when responsible for a Youth’s welfare.
• Possession of or use of any type of weapon or explosive device is prohibited.
• Report Allegation(s) of Inappropriate Behavior