51福利社

Children on LBCC Properties

 

Purpose

To convey that children are welcome on 51福利社 campuses and properties in appropriate situations, and that when minor children are present it is imperative that reasonable steps be taken to protect the learning and work environment of the college and ensure the safety of those children.

 

Statement

LBCC supports student-parents, pregnant students, and lactating parents in their educational journey and intends to create a welcoming, supportive environment for student-parents and employees. To that end, the Periwinkle Child Development Center on our Albany campus provides high-quality childcare with a priority for the children of student-parents and College staff. LBCC also supports student-parents through access to lactation spaces, student clubs, and through the Family Resources and Education Center.

Children on Campus

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

This administrative rule applies to minor children under the age of 16 who are not enrolled in classes or employed by the college. This administrative rule 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 directed toward children. Title IX makes it illegal to discriminate based on sex, which includes discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. Students who are nursing are also protected. Contact our Title IX office for information: LBCC Title IX webpage.

Children under 16 are allowed on campus properties in accordance with the guidelines in this policy, while actively supervised by their parent or guardian. The parent/guardian assumes all liability for the minor child鈥檚 welfare while on College campuses.

College staff, faculty and administrators have the authority to direct the removal of a child in accordance with this administrative rule if: 

1. The child's health or safety is at risk;
2. The child is presenting a health, safety or liability risk to property or others;
3. The child's behavior is causing disruption to the work of students or staff;
   
   

Restricted Areas for Children

Due to health and safety risks or impact of disruption to the learning environment, the following areas are not suitable for children and, consequently, children are not allowed in these areas:

1. testing centers during active testing;
2. laboratories and laboratory preparation areas;
3. scientific, technical and maintenance work spaces;
4. areas that contain hazardous chemicals, machinery or equipment;
5. commercial kitchens and other food preparation areas;
6. weight room;
7. Horse Center; and
8. Clinical or simulated healthcare skills spaces

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. For example, children are allowed in the computer lab areas, but are not allowed to use the computers or have food or drink in the room.

Emergency Child Attendance in Classrooms

In general, classrooms are not a suitable space for children during active instruction; however, the College recognizes that student-parents occasionally experience unexpected child care situations that necessitate the choice of either missing class or bringing their child with them to class. Student-parents are not allowed to bring their child on a regular basis but on an emergency basis only. The College encourages faculty to work with student-parents in these situations and consider alternatives such as an excused absence or zoom option. 

For a child to attend class with a parent, faculty should be notified by the student-parent before class begins, either in person at the start of class or via email, to request that they be allowed to bring their minor child into the classroom space. Faculty are encouraged to allow the child into the class with the caveat that the student-parent will be asked to take their child out of the classroom if their child is disrupting the educational environment. 

Instructors should alert the parent that the instructor has the right to require the parent to leave with the child in the following situations:

• If the child is being disruptive to the learning environment; for example, talking loudly, running around the classroom, yelling, or otherwise distracting other students.
• If the child鈥檚 behavior is causing disruption to the learning environment

This determination is made at the discretion of the instructor.

Student-parents or pregnant parents sometimes need flexibility on the part of instructors when there is an emergency regarding their child. This may include providing an excused absence due to illness of the child or pregnant parent, allowing a test date to be rescheduled, or making allowances for emergency doctor visits due to illness or pregnancy. Instructors can coordinate with the Testing Services to arrange for a test to be taken. In general, finals are to be taken at the scheduled time, but faculty may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Lactation and Pregnancy Support

Nursing parents are encouraged to use a lactation space on campus as needed. Student-parents may step out of the classroom to access these spaces without academic penalty. Information about locations and access to lactation spaces can be found under the 鈥淧regnancy/Postpartum Resources鈥� tab on the LBCC Title IX webpage.

Responsibilities of Student-Parents

Student-parents are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their own children while on campus property and should: 

• Consider their child鈥檚 developmental level when requesting to bring their child into a learning environment, so as not to disrupt, inconvenience or endanger other students or staff
• Consider their child鈥檚 health and potential risk to others when requesting to bring their child into a learning environment.

Except as otherwise specified in this administrative rule, no unsupervised children may be on college properties, including playing, roaming, and occupying campus grounds or buildings. Any college employee who determines a child is unsupervised on college properties has the responsibility to inform the Office of Public Safety  of the location of the child.

Consequences of Non-Compliance 

Students who fail to comply with this administrative rule may be subject to sanctions as outlined in AR 7030-01: the Students鈥� Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct Code.

Library and Learning Center Policy

Library staff do not serve in place of a parent or guardian. Parents guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of children in the Library and the resources they access. LBCC Library provides unfiltered access to the internet.

Children, like all patrons, are expected to abide by our Library code of conduct.

 

 

---