State universities adopt new child safety policy
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's state-owned universities - including West Chester and Cheyney - adopted a policy Tuesday that is designed to protect the safety of children on campus, a concern that arose as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's state-owned universities - including West Chester and Cheyney - adopted a policy Tuesday that is designed to protect the safety of children on campus, a concern that arose as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.
The board of the State System of Higher Education adopted a set of guidelines that require staff and students who work with minors to pass a criminal-background check, and to receive policy and issue training.
The new policy covers the system's 14 universities and goes into effect in January, but training will start before then.
It does not cover Pennsylvania State University, where Sandusky coached, because Penn State is a state-related university and not part of the state system.
The former longtime assistant football coach was convicted two years ago of sexual abuse of 10 boys, and is serving a 30- to 60-year prison term. Some of his victims were abused inside university facilities.