A Message From All The University Compliance Committee To All Faculty and Staff

The University asks for your continued assistance and support in cultivating an environment consistent with the University of Hartford’s core values. Throughout the year, our academic and community outreach programs include children and individuals under age 18 whose wellbeing and safety are not only important to the University, but also are the subject of special protections and requirements under the law.

Connecticut law holds you, as a member of the campus community, accountable to act upon any suspected or actual abuse or neglect of any child at the campus or who participates in any University program. Under Connecticut law:

1. child abuse occurs when a minor “has been inflicted with physical injury or injuries other than by accidental means, . . . has injuries that are at variance with the history given of them, or . . . is in a condition that is the result of maltreatment, including, but not limited to, malnutrition, sexual molestation or exploitation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment;” and

2. child neglect occurs when a minor “has been abandoned, . . . is being denied proper care and attention, physically, educationally, emotionally or morally, or . . . is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to the well-being of the child or youth.”

If you are an employee or paid member of the campus community, Connecticut probably considers you to be a “Mandated Reporter” and requires you to report – or cause to be reported – any child abuse or child neglect. Under Connecticut law, you are a Mandated Reporter if you are a paid administrator, faculty, staff, coach, trainer, youth camp director or assistant director, physician, nurse, psychologist, mental health professional, sexual assault counselor, social worker, physical therapist, physician assistant, or police officer. For a complete listing of Mandated Reporters, see this link.

Connecticut law requires any Mandated Reporter who reasonably suspects Child Abuse or Child Neglect to:

1. immediately, and no later than 12 hours after having reasonable suspicion, call and submit an oral report to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) at 1-800-842-2288, available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, or another law enforcement agency; and

2. submit a written report to DCF on form DCF-136, no later than 48 hours after making the oral report.

Any Mandated Reporter who fails to make these oral and written reports in a timely manner can be subject to legal penalties, such as monetary fines, as well as University action up to and including termination.

Even if you are not a Mandated Reporter:

• If you suspect an imminent or ongoing threat to a minor, or that a crime against a minor is in progress, then you must immediately call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at (860) 768-7777; and
• In a non-emergency situation, you must report suspected child abuse or child neglect to Public Safety at (860) 768-7985 or the Office of General Counsel at (860) 768-4275, or contact the University’s Whistleblower Hotline at (844) 256-3946.