Summer camps taking place on Texas Woman’s campuses will undergo changes due to new requirements regarding minors on campus.

Matt Moustakas, executive director of risk management, said the department found opportunities to strengthen policies related to minors on campus after a routine check of areas in which the university potentially could be exposed to compliance, reputational or financial (i.e., lawsuit) risk.  

“Texas regulations dealing with youth camps technically only apply to camps with 20 or more minors and lasting four or more days,” he said. “The scope of our new Minors on Campus program is broader than this, as we want to ensure the safety of all those who step onto the campus. We saw these changes as a way to rise above the minimum standard set by the state.”

TWU’s Minors on Campus policy requires any person in a position that involves direct contact with minors on a TWU campus or TWU-sponsored events off campus to successfully complete a criminal background check each year, as well as biannual child protection training.

A criminal background check costs approximately $47, Moustakas said, adding that each department should cover the cost for its employees — not the employees themselves. All youth programs also must be registered with and approved by TWU Risk Management prior to each program’s start date.

Other requirements involve safety, training, staffing ratios and more, and those interested in the policy updates can visit the Minors on Campus website for additional information.

Moustakas noted TWU has an exceptional history of well-run youth programs, which have not experienced any complaints or incidents.

“Risk Management is always looking for areas where the university may be exposed to risks,” he said. “We are just trying to improve TWU procedures to protect minors and the university.”