Ensuring Safe Environments for Youth Activities Affiliated with the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland is committed to building a robust and sustainable youth protection infrastructure that reflects our institutional values, aligns with best practices, and meets all legal requirements. This strategic plan establishes a clear path towards an enterprise-wide framework that prioritizes the safety and well-being of minors participating in various programs and activities across campus.
Together, we are cultivating a shared responsibility that prioritizes the well-being of minors and promotes a culture of safeguarding. The plan is built around three key strategic goals: Governance and Compliance, Operational Excellence, and Training and Capacity Building.
Explore the full plan to learn how we’re advancing youth protection across campus.
Letter of Introduction
Letter of Introduction from Charles Reuning, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and Jay Rosselló, Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel.
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to introduce the University of Maryland Strategic Plan for Youth Protection. This represents a foundational step in embedding youth protection as a core element of the university’s risk management and compliance infrastructure.
In early 2024, the President’s Cabinet formally prioritized enhancing the oversight of minors on campus. This focus reflects our deep institutional commitment to the safety and well-being of minors who participate in university-affiliated programs, services, and activities. It also acknowledges the complexity of supporting non-matriculating minors across our complex, decentralized campus environment.
Further reinforcing this goal, a 2024 memo from the State of Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General called for formal, centralized oversight at system institutions. A subsequent 2024 campus-wide survey conducted by UMD’s Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk (ESSR) revealed that youth protection programs vary widely across departments, and that there is room for improvement in the procedures used in connection with those programs. Failing to give this important function the attention that it deserves would not only place the university at significant risk of reputational damage, legal exposure, and financial liability, but, most importantly, it would increase the potential for real harm to children entrusted to our care.
To address these challenges, the University has taken decisive action. Jay Rosselló, Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, has been appointed as the risk owner for Youth Protection. His leadership brings critical insight, strategic oversight, and institutional expertise to this high-priority area.
To further strengthen our efforts in effectively safeguarding minors and ensuring adherence to regulations and best practices, a Youth Protection Compliance Manager position was created in ESSR. This strategic role is essential to leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive youth protection framework.
In June 2025, Megan McWilliams joined the university as its inaugural Youth Protection Compliance Manager. She brings specialized expertise and a mission-driven approach to building a sustainable youth protection infrastructure. Megan is leading the development of an enterprise-wide risk management system that supports consistent standards, training, and accountability, ultimately fostering a culture of safeguarding and excellence in the University’s engagement with minors.
This strategic plan is informed by key sources, including the 2012 Minors on Campus Committee’s draft policy, the February 2025 Risk Profile, and benchmarking research through the Higher Education Protection Network and Big Ten peer institutions. These resources have helped shape a forward-looking strategy grounded in best practices and institutional collaboration.
To ensure broad engagement, ESSR will work closely with Youth Protection Advocates from across the university. These individuals will form the Youth Protection Committee, a strategic body tasked with guiding implementation, developing minimum standards, and exploring the creation of a formal university-wide Youth Protection Policy.
Together, we are building a culture of shared responsibility that prioritizes the safety of minors and strengthens our institutional resilience. We look forward to working with you to advance this important mission.
Sincerely,
Charles Reuning
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Jay Rosselló
Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel