For Parents and Guardians
Message to Parents and Guardians
Cornell University is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for youth participants. Through its Protection of Minors policy, Cornell has established requirements designed to help protect youth participating in Cornell-affiliated programs. These requirements also apply to third-party organizations operating youth programs on Cornell property, ensuring that all programs meet the same high standards for safety and well-being.
To help keep your child safe while they are participating in a Cornell-affiliated program, Cornell requires the following:
Screening and Background Checks: Individuals who work directly with minors are required to complete screening measures, including criminal background checks and sex offender registry searches, before participating in youth programs.
Education and Training: Individuals who work directly with minors receive training on recognizing, preventing, responding to, and reporting abuse, misconduct, and other safety concerns.
Standards of Behavior: Cornell has established clear standards regarding appropriate and inappropriate interactions with youth, including expectations related to physical contact, language, communication, supervision, and professional boundaries.
Reporting and Response Procedures: Cornell has established clear procedures for reporting known or suspected abuse, misconduct, and other safety concerns involving minors, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately.
Program Safety Measures: Programs are required to implement safety measures, supervision practices, and emergency procedures designed to promote the well-being of all participants.
How Parents and Guardians Can Help:
In addition to the measures Cornell has implemented, parents and guardians play an important role in helping children stay safe. Consider discussing the following topics with your child using age-appropriate language:
Teach Personal Boundaries: Help your child understand personal boundaries and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch, language, and behavior.
Empower Children to Say No: Teach your child that they can say “no” to any touch, interaction, or behavior that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Identify Trusted Adults: Help your child identify trusted adults they can talk to if they have concerns or feel unsafe.
Recognize Warning Signs: Be aware of potential signs of abuse or maltreatment, such as unexplained injuries, sudden changes in mood or behavior, reluctance to be around certain individuals, or age-inappropriate knowledge or behavior.
Report Concerns Promptly: If your child expresses concerns about harmful, abusive, neglectful, or inappropriate behavior in a program, please contact Cornell's Children and Youth Safety office at (607) 255-9062 or am2987@cornell.edu.
Emergency Contacts
In an emergency, contact:
- Ithaca Campus: (607) 255-1111
- Cornell Tech: (646) 971-3611
- Weill Cornell Medicine-NYC: (212) 746-0911
- All other locations, including Cornell AgriTech, contact 911