FAQ

Binghamton University Child Protection Policy (CPP)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Question: What is the Child Protection Policy (CPP)?

Answer: In summary, it states that individuals must conduct themselves appropriately with children who participate in College related programs and report instances or suspicion of physical or sexual abuse of children to the University Police Department 607-777-2222.  Review the campus policy, and the SUNY policy.

Question: Who does this policy cover?

Answer: This policy covers the University (departments, employees and students), University Affiliates, and any vendor, licensee or permittee for which a license or permit for use of University facilities has been approved, occurring on or off campus.

Question: What is an affiliated entity?

Answer: A university affiliate is defined as:

  1. Research Foundation
  2. Campus Foundation
  3. Campus Alumni Association
  4. Campus Auxiliary Service Corporation
  5. Any other entity so designated by the President

Question: Does the campus Child Care Center have to abide by this policy?

Answer: No – campus child care centers are already regulated.

Question: Is the Student Association an affiliated entity?

Answer: No – the Student Association is not an affiliated entity and must enter into an agreement with the University through conference services via a revocable permit in order to hold a function which involves children under the age of 17.

Question: What is a “Covered Activity”?

Answer: An activity is “Covered” if it meets the two-part Policy definition as follows:

(a) it is sponsored or approved by the University, University-affiliated organization or conducted by a vendor, licensee or permittee for which a license or permit for use of University facilities has been approved, occurring on or off campus; AND

(b) for the duration of the activity, custody, control and supervision of children is vested in the University, University-affiliated organization or the approved vendor, licensee or permittee.

Question: How do I know if my activity is a “Covered Activity”?

Answer: Please view the decision tree to determine if your activity falls into the definition of a covered activity.

Question: Who is responsible when a school district is invited onto campus for an event?

Answer: Field trips where custody and control remain with the school district are not considered covered activities.

Question: Which activities where children under the age of 17 are present are not considered“Covered Activities”?

Answer: The Child Protection Policy does not apply to incidental visits where custody, control and supervision is not vested in the college or an affiliated organization. Some examples include:

  • Events that are open to the general public, such as concerts, athletic events, exhibitions and seasonal events such as winter carnivals and Halloween parties.
  • Children accompanying a visitor to campus (e.g., accompanying a sibling on a recruiting visit)
  • “Field Trips” where children are brought onto campus by a school or other organization and the representatives of those schools or organization remain with the children throughout the trip and remain responsible for the custody, control and supervision.

Question: How do we treat off-campus internships, such as student teaching assignments?

Answer: Internships are not considered covered activities:

  • Internships, student teaching assignments, affiliations, and volunteer work conducted off-campus by students or faculty are generally not Covered Activities, because the responsibility for custody, control and supervision of children is not vested in the University, University-affiliated organizations or approved vendor, licensee or permittee.

Question: Who do I call if I have any questions regarding the Child Protection Policy?

Answer: Please direct your questions to one of these divisional Child Protection Committee contacts: