Conduct and Expectations

Expectations

Persons working for, participating in, or involved with a covered program should create an open, welcoming education environment and ensure that the safety and welfare of participating children is a paramount and shared responsibility. Indeed, positive, appropriate interactions with youth support their personal and educational development, make them feel valued, and provide the safe, caring connections that serve as protective factors for youth. Conversely, inappropriate and harmful interactions can put youth at risk for adverse emotional and physical outcomes. In this regard, persons working for, participating in, or involved with a covered program shall not, in connection with the program:

• Engage in abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of, any child.
• Administer force upon a child with or without an implement or tool for the purpose of discipline (i.e., corporal punishment).
• Touch a child in an inappropriate or illegal manner.
• Engage in the use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs in the presence or vicinity of children.
• Photograph any child without the express, written consent of the child’s parent or guardian. A release form is available for this purpose if needed.
• Possess, produce, access or make available to children, any sexually-explicit or otherwise inappropriate images, material or media.

The College recognizes that, except as may be authorized by a head of the covered program based on legitimate pedagogical reasons, it is best practice for persons in a covered program to refrain from being alone with a child at any time in connection with the program. The director or head of a covered program for which such one-on-one time is so authorized must at all times structure the program as to permit observation. Under no circumstances will persons be alone with a child in settings where they and the child are not directly observable at all times.

Policy Violations and Compliance

All covered programs are subject to audit to determine compliance with this policy by the Human Resources, the Title IX Office, or Director of Conferences and Facility Rental. Where necessary, all reports involving a member of the Lake Forest College community will be addressed according to the current Title IX Policy and Procedures. Any faculty member, staff, student employee, student or volunteer who violates this policy will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment or volunteer status and exclusion from the College’s premises.