Policies & Guidelines
MIT is committed to protecting the safety of all members of its community, including minors who are on campus and/or participating in Institute programs. Visit MIT Policy 9.15 Protection of Minors for more information on what MIT expects of its staff, faculty, and students when interacting with minors.
MIT Policy on the Protection of Minors
The MIT Policy 9.15 Protection of Minors describes MIT’s commitment to protecting the safety of minors (anyone under the age of 18 not matriculating at MIT) who are on campus and/or participating in Institute programs. All minors participating in Institute programs must be supervised by MIT employees who have completed a background check including faculty, staff, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, or other appropriate employees. MIT’s goal is to provide a safe environment that protects children from abuse or neglect by encouraging its earliest possible detection and reporting.
For more information, please review and adhere to the MIT Policy on the Protection of Minors.
MIT Policy on the Employment of Minors
The MIT Policy 1.3 Employment of Minors describes the Institute's policy to maintain certain personnel and safety practices concerning the employment of minors. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the federal government place many restrictions on the type of work that may be performed by minors and the hours during which they may be employed.
For more information, please review and adhere to the MIT Policy on the Employment of Minors.
Key Definitions & Terms
A program is any organized event or activity that MIT operates in which unaccompanied minors participate, and in which MIT faculty, staff, or students are involved through their Institute roles, whether occurring on or off campus, in-person or online. This includes both residential programs (involving an overnight stay) and nonresidential programs.
A minor is anyone under the age of 18 who is not an enrolled MIT student.
Unaccompanied minors are those who are participating in a program or activity without parent(s), guardian(s) or chaperone(s).
Third-Party programs are non-MIT organizations and entities that operate programs or activities involving minors on MIT campus.
An internship is a program designed to provide a practical and educational experience to the participant (intern) where the intern is the primary beneficiary of his/her activities. MIT discourages unpaid internships unless the intern is receiving academic credit for the experience.
A Primary Supervisor and Alternate Supervisor work closely with the minor and provide guidance and support. The following rules apply to supervisors:
- Current faculty, postdoctoral associates, researchers, graduate students and/or other appropriate employees of MIT may serve as supervisors.
- Undergraduate students may not serve as supervisors.
- Non-MIT employees may not serve as supervisors. (e.g., postdoctoral fellows, independent contractors, staff from temporary agencies like MITemps).