Minors Policy
All Duke courses and programs involving minors must comply with the Youth Protection at Duke University Policy.
Key Requirements Include:
- Background checks: Required for all students working with minors, whether on campus or off campus, regardless of any additional checks required by partner schools or nonprofits.
- Course and student registration: Faculty must register their courses and students through the Youth Protection site.
- Program approval: Each program must be approved by a designated Dean or Vice Provost (list available on the Youth Protection site).
- Training: All students must complete an online training module and quiz.
Working with Durham Public Schools (DPS)
If your course or program partners with Durham Public Schools, students must complete the DPS volunteer application process in addition to the Youth Protection process above.
The updated DPS process includes new resources to help students register and receive approval.
The application process includes several steps and multiple confirmation emails. Encourage students to carefully follow the guides below and verify that they have received their official DPS volunteer approval before reporting to a school:
- Process for Duke programs – For use by program coordinators, faculty, and staff. Explains the volunteer application process for different situations (including minors and students without Social Security numbers). Includes links to required forms and examples.
- Online application guide – A step-by-step guide, with screenshots, explaining how to complete the online volunteer application.
- Approval guide – Completing the volunteer application results in multiple email notifications, many of which can be mistaken for approval emails. This guide explains (with screenshots) how to recognize official DPS volunteer approval.
- Student application status sheet – Faculty and program coordinators can use this shared Google Sheet to list participating students and track their DPS volunteer application status.
NOTE: DPS volunteer approvals expire annually on June 30. Students must submit a new volunteer application each academic year, even if they were approved previously.
Approval and Troubleshooting
- DPS approval will be communicated by email with the subject line “Approval Email – Volunteers” or “Volunteer Status – Durham Public Schools.” Approval is valid until June 30 each year.
- If a student does not receive approval within a week, the most common issue is an incomplete step. Asking for a screenshot of the student’s DPS dashboard can help identify the problem.
- If the dashboard shows completion but approval has not arrived, the DPS Volunteer Coordinator (Willa Sample, willa_sample@dpsnc.net) can provide assistance.
What Students Should Bring on Their First Visit to a DPS School
- A photo ID.
- A paper or digital copy of their DPS approval email.
- A paper or digital copy of their DPS training completion email.