In an effort to be proactive and protect youth and minors who are on campus, Student Union & Event Services is requiring groups who utilize our spaces to abide by some new guidelines and procedures. Any UNLV or external group will be asked to take steps as listed below.

Minors and youth are considered anyone under the age of 18.

UNLV Departments and Student Organizations

At the time a reservation or event is made, any event whose primary audience and whose focus is on youth and/or minors will need to abide by the guidelines by SUES.

Exceptions would be events sponsored by Admissions for visitation, recruitment, or pre-enrollment activities for prospective students. Youth are in the care and custody of Admission staff.

Exception: Events open to the public where children may attend and are under the supervision and care of a parent or guardian.

Requirements

Each NSHE-affiliated organization must complete the list below within 15 working days of any event. Information can be submitted to your Event Coordinator. Original signatures are required. The following are required forms to submit:

Recommendations

It is recommended that each NSHE-affiliated organization conduct criminal background checks of all organizers, chaperones, and volunteers who may interact with youth and minors. These checks can be arranged by UNLV Human Resources by setting up an account. As of January 2019, each check was $31.00.

It is also recommended to check each organizer, chaperone, and volunteer’s name against the offender database. It can be found here. Annual training is also strongly recommended about reporting requirements, best practices. An example of such training can be found here.

It is also recommended that groups following the American Camp Association guidelines on ratio of staff and volunteers to children for day camps:

  • Children aged 4-5 is 6:1
  • Children aged 6-8 is 8:1
  • Children aged 9-14 is 10:1
  • Children aged 15-17 is 12:1
Records Retention

Sponsoring organizations or departments must hold all records in paper or electronic format for 25 years

Non-UNLV Groups

Requirements

Each non-UNLV organization must complete the list below within 15 working days of any event. Information can be submitted to your Event Coordinator. Original signatures are required. The following are required forms to submit:

Insurance Requirements

Each organization is required to carry commercial general liability insurance. It is recommended to include coverage for sexual misconduct/abuse/molestation coverage. You can view the letter describing this coverage. Proof of insurance will be required for all events sponsored by non-NSHE organizations or groups.

Recommendations

It is strongly recommended that organizations conduct their own criminal background checks, checks against offender database, provide training, and do their own efforts to ensure the safety of youth.

SUES’ efforts

In an effort for us to support youth on campus, SUES will work to provide the following steps:

  • Background checks for relevant student and full-time staff who may have individualized contact with youth or minors on campus.  Checks will occur every four years
  • Relevant student and full-time staff will be checked against the offender databases available online
  • Annual training provided on reporting, best practices, forms and more
  • Work to educate campus groups on the importance of this topic

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

 Per the Nevada Registry, the following are all agencies or groups where reports of known or reasonable suspicion of abuse and/or neglect of children may be occurring:

Be prepared to provide as much specific information as possible.  All reports are anonymous per state law.

Contact

Questions and Contact

For more information and specifics on these guidelines, contact:
Event Services
eventservices@unlv.edu
702-895-4449

A representative who best connects with your question will respond promptly.