Minors on Campus

Florida Tech welcomes minors to campus for many activities including scheduled campus events, summer camps, field trips, educational programs, or as guests of students and employees. Minors come to us as sports team recruits, as candidates for admissions, and as siblings of current students.

The university is committed to protecting minors who are participating in the programs, events, and summer camps offered by the university, as well as in programs offered by outside entities that are held in university facilities.

Under Florida law, a minor is a person under the age of 18 years old. 

The Protection of Minors policy applies to all programs, camps, and activities that involve the participation of minors, including programs operated by the university or third-party entities, programs taking place on campus, and programs under the direction and authority of the university at locations off-campus.

The Protection of Minors policy does not apply to:

• Single events on campus that are open to the public.
• Campus tours, or visits attended by prospective students who are minors and under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

Program Registration for University-Sponsored Programs

Responsible persons proposing a university-sponsored program are required to complete and submit a Minor Program Registration Form to The Office of University Events and Protocol (camps@vaftizo.com) at least 45 days prior to the program. All adults who will be interacting with minors in the program must have completed a criminal background check through the Office of Human Resources within the last year. 

All camp registrations must be processed through the ARMS Camp Registration software.

Program Registration for Non-University Programs

Non-University entities' use of university facilities for programs involving minors requires the approval from the Office of University Events and Protocol. The Responsible Party must execute a Facility Use Agreement and provide proof of primary and excess insurance coverage. The non-university entity must provide properly executed university-approved waiver of liability forms for all participating minors. 

All non-university entities must certify that they have conducted background checks equivalent to or above the State of Florida Level 2 Standard for all of its employees and volunteers who will be interacting with minors, and their supervisors.

Background Checks

• Background checks will need to be completed for program staff including any faculty, staff, volunteers, graduate and undergraduate students, interns, employees of temporary agencies, and independent contractors/consultants who interact with, supervise, chaperone, or otherwise oversee minors in program activities.
• Background checks are not required for temporary guest speakers, presenters and other individuals who have no direct contact with program participants other than short term activities supervised by program staff. Please contact Risk Management if you have questions regarding who should have background checks.