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Walking

Parents/guardians should be informed in advance of any walk for minors under age 8 that includes crossing a street used by automotive vehicles. Parents/guardians should be informed of known traffic hazards and what steps the activity involving minors will take to mitigate those hazards. Parents/guardians should provide written permission before their minors under age 8 participate in such a walk.

When walking off-campus as part of their activity, minors under age 12 should wear identifying lanyards, badges, vests, or shirts. At least one adult should lead the procession and permit no minor to walk ahead. At least one adult should follow the procession and permit no minor to lag behind. The procession should stop on a regular basis for a head count. Unless safety considerations dictate otherwise, the procession should not advance until all minors are accounted for.

Automobiles

Parents/guardians should be informed in advance if their minor will be driven someplace. Parents/guardians should provide written permission to transport their minor via private vehicle.

Drivers should present the supervisor of the activity involving minors an up-to-date copy of their driver record from the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the driver record shows moving violations within the last three years, or a driving-under-the-influence conviction at any time, the driver should not be approved. Drivers who cannot or will not present copies of their driver record should not be allowed to transport minors.

If possible, drivers should use a University vehicle. Second preference is a rental vehicle obtained through a preferred provider. For safety reasons, 12 and 15-passenger vans are never to be used or rented for the transportation of minors. If using a privately-owed vehicle, the employee supervising the activity should determine in advance whether the private vehicle is appropriately equipped to transport minors, including, but not limited to a seat belt or car seat for each minor.

Drivers of private vehicles should provide a valid registration for the vehicle they are driving. They should also show the department a valid driver license for the type of vehicle they are driving and proof of insurance for at least $50,000 per bodily injury, $100,000 for all bodily injuries, and $50,000 for property damage. Drivers who are employed by the University and will drive a privately owned vehicle on University business are required to complete Standard Form 261 and return it to their supervisor. Drivers who fail to provide the required registration, license, or insurance should not be approved for driving minors in a private vehicle.

Minors should not be transported by motorcycle.

No adult should drive one minor unless the driver is the minor’s parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or sibling. In all other circumstances except emergencies, drivers should inform their supervisor and the parent of the minor in advance before driving one minor.

Vans, Buses, and Other Commercial Transportation

Departments should notify parents/guardians in advance if minors will be driven someplace.  Parents/guardians should provide advance written permission to transport their minor via van or bus.

For minors age 12 and under, adults should be seated throughout the bus for easier supervision, with at least one adult in the front, middle, and rear of the bus.  Adults shouldsit in an aisle seat so they can get up to supervise minors as necessary. If seat beats are available, all passengers should use the designated seat belt provided in accordance with state laws.

Minors should be seated by grade or age group.  Disruptive minors should be seated next to an adult.

Adults supervising the activity involving minors should take a head count or roll call before loading and after unloading a van, bus, or other form of commercial transportation, and unless safety considerations dictate otherwise, should not proceed until all minors are accounted for.

Public Transportation

Departments should notify parents/guardians in advance if minors will be taken someplace via public transportation. Parents/guardians should provide advance written permission to transport their minor via public transportation.

Minors under age 12 should be restricted to one area of the bus or train for easier supervision. Adults should stand or sit on the periphery of the area to which minors on public transportation are restricted with at least one adult near each exit door. They should take a head count or call roll before boarding public transportation and upon leaving public transportation, and unless safety considerations dictate otherwise, should not proceed until all minors are accounted for.