External Organizations & Community Partners
SCU frequently collaborates with organizations that serve minors. These relationships generally fall into one of two categories:
| Program Type | Description |
|---|---|
| External Organization | An outside organization operates its own youth program on SCU property (e.g., summer camps, conferences, facility rentals). |
| Community Partner | An outside organization operates a youth program in which SCU students, faculty, staff, or volunteers participate as leaders (e.g., service-learning, tutoring, mentoring, coaching, research placements). |
Select the scenario below that best matches your activity:
External Organizations
Outside Organizations Operating Youth Programs on SCU Property
If an outside organization is hosting a youth program on SCU property, that organization is responsible for meeting SCU's youth protection and safety requirements.
Before your program begins, you will need to:
- Complete the applicable Facility Use Agreement and Child Safety Addendum
- Provide required certificates of insurance
- Conduct appropriate background checks for individuals working with minors
- Follow SCU's youth protection and safety expectations
Requirements for External Organizations Running Youth Programs at SCU
[View Guidelines for External Organizations]
This document covers:
- Contracts and required documentation
- Insurance requirements
- Background checks
- Supervision and the two-adult principle
- Appropriate conduct
- Emergency procedures
- Reporting concerns about child abuse or neglect
Questions? Contact Risk Management at risk@scu.edu.
Community Partners
SCU students, faculty, staff, and volunteers may participate in youth programs operated by schools, nonprofits, and other community organizations. Examples include service-learning, tutoring, mentoring, coaching, and research placements.
When SCU personnel participate in a program operated by a community partner, the community partner generally retains primary responsibility for the program, including supervision of minors and the partner's youth protection requirements. SCU is responsible for ensuring that its personnel meet applicable University requirements.
Who Is Responsible?
Responsibility | Community Partner | SCU |
|---|---|---|
Program oversight & supervision | Primary | Supports placement |
Background checks | Primary (typically) | Exceptions only |
Youth protection training | Primary | May supplement |
Written agreement (MOU) | Shared | Shared |
Important Considerations
- Background checks: The Community Partner generally conducts and verifies required background checks. SCU may conduct checks in limited circumstances.
- Written agreements: Background check and training responsibilities should be documented in the applicable MOU or other written agreement.
- Information sharing: When SCU conducts a background check for assurance purposes, SCU will share only confirmation of completion/authorization—not criminal history or detailed results.
Questions about exceptions? Contact Risk Management at risk@scu.edu.
FAQs
Do outside organizations using SCU facilities need background checks?
Yes, outside organizations will be required to conduct their own background checks. SCU will ensure compliance with this requirement by including it as a provision in any contracts or MOUs established between the entities.
If a partner already conducts background checks, does SCU need to do another one?
If the program is being hosted by the community partner, SCU does not need to conduct its own background checks. However, SCU cannot accept the background check results from other organizations for its own Covered Programs.
If an activity/event that includes minors is being overseen by chaperones that aren’t part of SCU, do the SCU individuals overseeing the activity/event require background checks?
No, the minors are under the care and supervision of the chaperones, so SCU individuals running the activity/event do not need to get background checks.