Children on PCC Properties

Children are welcome on Portland Community College campuses and properties in appropriate situations and while actively supervised by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. This policy outlines the College’s approach to ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to protect the study and work environment of the College, and the health, safety, and liability issues associated with children on PCC properties. 

Scope

This policy applies to minor children under the age of 16 who are not officially enrolled in classes or employed by the College. This policy does not apply to organized activities such as attending a registered child care facility, after school care activities, school field trips, and approved programs including, but not limited to, athletic events, theater productions, art programs, and other events targeted to children.

Students under the age of 16 who are officially enrolled, and for whom an authorized Underage Release form is on file with the Admissions Office, have the same rights, responsibilities and privileges of any other student in the classroom and on college properties.

Application

The College seeks to provide an environment which is conducive to study and work. Children must be actively supervised by their parent, guardian, or responsible adult at all times when they are on college properties.

College staff, faculty and administrators have the responsibility to direct the removal of a child in accordance with section 3.6 of this policy.

Due to safety and liability issues, except as otherwise defined in this policy, under no circumstances may unsupervised children be on college properties, including playing, roaming, and occupying campus grounds or buildings.

Any college employee who finds an unaccompanied child on college properties should inform Public Safety of the location of the child.

Restricted Areas

Children cannot be allowed in areas where their presence is disruptive or where health, safety, and liability risks are identified. Areas in which children are NOT permitted include:

  • Testing centers
  • Classrooms (when the Instructor determines that the presence of children would be unsuitable)
  • Laboratories and laboratory preparation areas
  • Scientific, technical and maintenance work spaces
  • Fine or performing arts work spaces or studios
  • Areas that contain hazardous chemicals, machinery or equipment
  • Commercial kitchens and other food preparation areas
  • Fitness centers

Other areas may be identified as unsuitable for children as a result of a risk assessment and supervisors of the respective areas are required to inform staff and students of requirements or restrictions.

PCC Transportation Services

When children are passengers in any PCC vehicle, including shuttle buses, the operators of these vehicles are not responsible for ensuring that child passengers meet child safety requirements. It is the responsibility of the care provider to ensure that any child accompanying them meet the child safety requirements. Where safety restraints are not available, the care provider will ensure the child is properly seated to minimize possible accident or injury. Failure to conform to these guidelines will result in child and care provider being denied transport (as applicable to ORS 811.210).

Responsibility of the College

  • To provide an environment conducive to study and work for all students, staff and visitors.
  • To provide a healthy and safe study and work environment for all students, staff and visitors and to comply with legislative requirements.
  • To take reasonable steps to assist students, staff and visitors who may have special needs to enable access to facilities and services.

Responsibilities of People Bringing Children into the College

  • To take reasonable steps to safeguard the health and safety of the children in their care while on college properties.
  • To consider the potential risk to the health and safety of others that may come with bringing children into the College environment and to take reasonable steps to safeguard against those risks.
  • To be responsible for the behavior of the children in their care, so as not to disrupt, inconvenience or endanger staff, students or other visitors.

Responsibilities of PCC Staff and Instructors

To direct removal of a child in accordance with this policy if:

  • The child’s health or safety is at risk;
  • The child is presenting a health, safety or liability risk to property or others;
  • The child’s behavior is causing undue disruption to the work of students or staff; or
  • The presence of a child is unsuitable.

Instructors are responsible to direct the removal of children from their classroom. In the case of public areas, any member of staff on duty has the authority to direct that children be removed from the area.

Students who wish to appeal a specific situation, or who fail to comply, may follow the Code of Student Conduct hearing process as outlined in the PCC Student Rights and Responsibilities.