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September 16, 2012

Penn State scandal prompts ISU precautions

Campus committee taking a look at issue of ‘well-being and protection of minors’

Sue Loughlin The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — The Penn State child sex abuse scandal is causing colleges across the country — including Indiana State University — to review their policies related to minors on campus and protection of children.

At the request of ISU trustees, a campus committee recently began meeting and expects to present a final report, draft policy and a recommended training tool at the trustees’ October meeting.

The committee is chaired by John Beacon, ISU vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications. Trustees raised the issue at a recent retreat, he said, prompting the university to form the committee.

Trustees determined that “maybe we ought to take a look at where the university stands … on the whole issue of the well-being and protection of minors on campus,” Beacon said.

The committee is looking at existing ISU policies and procedures as well as best practices at other universities.

The committee asked all ISU departments to forward their policies and procedures related to protection of minors, and a few areas — including education and nursing — have some requirements related to criminal background checks.

But overall “It turns out there’s not much,” Beacon said.

During a trustee seminar on the issue, he told trustees, “We’re just vulnerable right now.”

The intent is to recommend an umbrella university policy and also build some training into that, Beacon said. The policy would make it clear that people have a responsibility to report abuse if they see it, and there are legal requirements as well.

One of the lessons from the Penn State scandal was that “people knew, but did nothing,” Beacon said.

At minimum, training would be required for those people who have direct interaction with minors on a regular basis, he said, but “it’s probably something every employee should take advantage of.”

ISU’s insurance carrier, United Educators, does provide free training through a website; employees would receive a certificate after completing the training.

The committee is an advisory group that will make recommendations to ISU trustees.

The committee has met four times now and has learned that a lot of minors (those under age 18) are on campus for many reasons, ranging from private lessons to summer camps. ISU employees also provide instruction off campus.

“Clearly this is an area that deserves and needs our attention,” trustee Ed Pease said during the Sept. 6 seminar.

There was some concern about having policies and procedures so detailed and complex that it might discourage people from coming to campus and using campus facilities.

ISU President Dan Bradley said the top priorities should be the safety and health of minors on campus, and also to outline what needs to happen, legally and otherwise, if an incident occurs.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

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