More than 50,000 minors (age 17 and under) attend a program sponsored by Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech” or the “Institute”) or conducted on the Georgia Tech campus. A special duty of care and supervision is required to protect our youngest learners. To help ensure a safe and healthy environment for all who participate, volunteer, or work in youth programs at Georgia Tech, the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Institute require all minor-focused programs be registered via Georgia Tech’s Youth Programs website.
Youth programs at Georgia Tech encompass a range of activities for non-student minors, organized and operated by Georgia Tech individuals or units, distinct from regular academic offerings. These include but are not limited to working with minors in labs, internships, student organization youth events, camps on campus, and local school mentoring or tutoring programs. Notably, campus or lab tours and school field trips to Georgia Tech are generally not considered youth programs.
The vibrant and engaging nature of Georgia Tech Youth Programs also introduces unique risks. To help mitigate these risks, all Youth Program sat Georgia Tech must comply with the Youth Programs Policy, which mandates program registration and operating procedures. These procedures may include background checks, minors in labs approval, record retention, and more, ensuring comprehensive support for all staff involved in working with minors., regardless of their expertise.
Programs involving minors must register at least thirty (30) days before their start date. Failure to do so could lead to the cancellation of the program. Registration ensures that programs receive timely information on resources and policies designed to safeguard minors and program staff alike.