Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Public Events and Venues
3. Definitions
4. Policy for the Protection of Children

Section 1: Introduction

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1. WNC is committed to maintaining a supportive and safe educational environment, one which seeks to enhance the well-being of all members of the WNC community, which includes creating a secure environment for children who may participate in WNC programs or activities, or be present at WNC facilities or events. The WNC procedures for the protection of children are intended for the protection of all children who participate in WNC events or activities for children or who are WNC students.

Section 2: Public Events and Venues

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1. Children are permitted at events and venues open to the public on WNC property. WNC reserves the right to determine whether selected events or venues are appropriate for unescorted or unsupervised children.

Section 3: Definitions

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1. Child A child is anyone under 18 years of age or, if in school, until graduation from high school, and includes children under the age of 18 years who are registered as WNC students. The terms child, minor, and children are used synonymously in this policy.
2. Volunteer The term volunteer means individuals who are working at WNC pursuant to a volunteer agreement approved by WNCs general counsel. For the purposes of this policy, the term volunteer does not include a parent or guardian of a child. Parents and guardians, however, should be supervised by appropriate WNC or non-WNC personnel during their participation in WNC sponsored or approved programs and activities.
3. Child abuse or Neglect Child abuse or neglect is defined in accordance with the provisions of NRS 432B.020-NRS 432B.150.
4. Program or Activity Involving Children Program or activity involving children applies to programs or activities established by WNC that are specifically created for and intended to involve children, and programs or activities for children sponsored by outside persons or entities which are permitted to take place at WNC facilities. Program or activity involving children does not include events (such as concerts, plays, sporting events) or facilities (such as the WNC caf or bookstore) that are open to the public. Program or activity involving children does not include WNC students who are under the age of 18 who are taking regular classes.

Section 4: Policy for the Protection of Children

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1. Reports of Child Abuse or Neglect by All WNC Personnel All WNC employees and volunteers who have reasonable cause to believe that child abuse or neglect has occurred at a WNC facility or during WNC programs or activities, must report the suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or a child welfare agency as soon as possible and within 24 hours. Retaliation against any individual who makes a report of child abuse or neglect is prohibited.
2. Supervision and Protection of Children All children who participate in WNC programs and activities involving children must be appropriately supervised at all times. A child must be immediately removed from a dangerous situation involving suspected child abuse or neglect or other inappropriate conduct, or conduct which presents a threat to the childs health and safety.
3. Policy and Procedure In order to implement this child protection policy, WNC will take the following steps:
   1. In January of every year, the Dean of Student Services shall inventory all childrens programs intended to be held in the calendar year and provide the President, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (VPASA), the Vice President for Administration/General Counsel (VPA/GC), the Vice President for Finance (VPF), and the Director of Public Safety a list of all childrens programs.
   2. In January of every year, the vice presidents, the Dean of Student Services, and the Director of Public Safety shall meet to review the security of all childrens programs, including considering measures that may be appropriate for the protection of students from sex offenders who are registered with WNC. Such measures may include reviewing class schedules of registered sex offenders to determine whether they relate to or are in close proximity to childrens programs and restricting sex offenders access to courses and/or the internet.
   3. Before WNC approves the use of a WNC facility by any outside person or entity (applicant), the applicant shall state, in writing, whether or not the program or activity is a childrens program, as defined in this policy. If it is a childrens program, WNC shall provide a copy of this procedure and the NSHE policy regarding the protection of children and the applicant shall state in writing the person or entitys procedures for the protection of children. The vice presidents and the Director of Public Safety shall review the information provided and may deny the applicant the use of a WNC facility if the policies or procedures are inadequate.
   4. WNC shall identify all WNC mandatory reporters of child abuse pursuant to NRS 432B.220-NRS 432B.250 and shall provide training materials regarding the mandatory reporter requirements upon initial hiring and at least every two years.
   5. WNC shall provide a copy of the NSHE Child Protection Polices and the WNC procedure to all employees who supervise or work in programs or activities involving children upon initial hiring and at least every two years.
   6. The NSHE Child Protection Polices and WNCs procedures shall be posted on the WNC website with the Division of Child and Family Services toll-free number and/or other law enforcement telephone numbers to receive reports of child abuse or neglect.
   7. In the event of a report or complaint of alleged child abuse or neglect, WNC shall conduct an appropriate investigation of the incident(s) giving rise to the report or complaint and provide a confidential notice of such incident(s) to the chancellor and Chair of the Board of Regents. Such investigation may be postponed by the President if such investigation would interfere with any investigation by law enforcement or child protection agency.

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