Children on Campus
(For the purpose of this policy, children are considered those under the age of 18.)
The University strives to be supportive during times when employees may need to bring their child/children to work on an occasional basis but asks that employees plan accordingly for childcare on days when children are sick, on snow days, during school holidays, or on other occasions. To ensure the safety of children while on campus, there may be certain areas where children are not able to enter, such as machine shops and labs. Employees planning to bring a child/children to work on a limited basis should discuss this with their supervisor and ensure that their child/children are appropriately supervised at all times. Children on campus who are participating in a research project may be supervised by a responsible adult who is involved with the project.
Laboratories and other high-hazard areas: No person under the age of 16, unless they are participating in a research project, may enter a Wesleyan laboratory. This includes teaching laboratories as well as research laboratories. For the purposes of this policy, laboratories and high-hazard areas are considered any part of a building used or intended to be used for scientific or technical activities, which may be dangerous. Risks of concern include chemicals, infectious agents, radioactive materials, physical hazards such as hydraulic equipment, potential for falls and cuts, etc.)
Children under 18 are also prohibited from entering the Central Power Plant, mechanical and electrical rooms, confined spaces, rooftops, and food preparation areas, shops containing power tools or machinery with exposed moving parts or rotating equipment, and rooms containing lasers, radioactive materials, or hazardous chemicals.
Students between the ages of 16 and 18 may enter a Wesleyan laboratory as part of an organized tour conducted by a faculty member, a Wesleyan-approved education program, or individual educational mentorship with a faculty member. All proposed activities conducted by minors in Wesleyan laboratories must adhere to any restrictions imposed by the Wesleyan Environmental Health and Safety group and the responsible department head.