The governing board at Bridgewater State University has unanimously adopted a new policy presented by President Dana Mohler-Faria to ensure the safety and well being of all members of the campus community including minors participating in a variety of university programs and activities.
As of Jan. 1, all newly hired employees – full-time, part-time and temporary – must undergo a criminal and sexual offender background check, according to the Policy to Protect Minors and Prevent Abuse.
All job offers will be contingent upon satisfactory results of the background check. The university will rescind an individual’s offer of employment if the background check is not completed or is not satisfactory, according to the policy approved by the Board of Trustees at its Dec. 10 meeting.
The policy bans Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders from being employed in any capacity at Bridgewater State University.
Under the new policy, the university “reserves the right to discipline or terminate any current employee or refuse to rehire any former employee … who is found to have abused a minor, or to have been convicted of a crime against a minor or another crime that is determined to pose an unreasonable risk.”
Current Bridgewater State University employees working or participating in programs, events or activities directly with minors other than BSU students and applicants for admission are also required to undergo a criminal and sexual offender background check.
The new policy expands and codifies actions previously undertaken by the university that include criminal and sex offender background checks on full-time employees begun in 2013. The university has complied with background checks required by law for individuals working with minors or vulnerable populations like Children’s Center, athletic camps, and the Bridge program (a residential summer program for middle school students).
Terms of the policy also extend to volunteers and vendors who work or interact with minors in a Bridgewater State University program as well as to outside or third-party groups seeking to use university facilities for programs that involve participation by minors.
The Board of Trustees was also provided with a status update on the work of the Presidential Task Force on Sexual Assault Prevention, which is co-chaired by Trustee Dr. Susan Szachowicz and Dr. Jason Pina, vice president for Student Affairs.
Several working subcommittees of the 28-member group have reported their findings and a series of recommendations are being formulated for review and approval by the president and the Board of Trustees in the New Year.
In addition, President Mohler-Faria gave a brief update on the development of a statewide Title IX police to address sexual assault and sexual misconduct. A draft of this policy will be submitted by the State University Council of Presidents to the Department of Higher Education this month. (Story by Eva T. Gaffney)