Minors Policy

Since mid-2017, MIT has outlined a minors policy, which provides requirements for all programs at MIT that minors participate in, with the intent of improving safety and protection of minors. ESP is in ongoing discussion with administration about the precise requirements for HSSP teachers, but for now, all HSSP teachers should assume that they must obtain a background check from MIT in time for HSSP. If you are a teacher, you should familiarize yourself with this process, as it will be your responsibility to complete it. Teachers who do not satisfy this requirement will not be allowed to teach for future ESP programs.

There are several ways to satisfy a background check.

1. If you are a registered MIT student who has been background checked by MIT in the past 4 years, you already have a prior background check and are good to go!
2. If you are on MIT campus or able to visit it (whether or not you are an MIT student), you can get an in-person background check.
3. If you are not able to visit MIT campus to get a background check, you must get a remote background check.

Prior background checks

If you are an MIT student who has been background checked by MIT in the past 4 years, you are good to go! In particular, this is true if you were background checked for Summer HSSP or Splash in 2017. (Rarely, you may be required to do a background check on a case by case basis. We will let you know if this is necessary.)

Note that this does not apply to non-MIT-students, who must obtain a new background check for each ESP program.

In-person background checks

If you don't have a valid background check from MIT, but are on or can visit MIT campus, you should get a background-check from the MIT background check office. You should print out and bring this form. Also, you will need to bring either a passport or driver's license, and you will need to know your address history for the last 7 years. Background checks can take up to 3 weeks to go through, so in order to teach for HSSP, you must initiate this process by ASAP. There are several options for obtaining a background check in person:

1. Walk-in service. To obtain a background check via walk-in service, visit the Atlas Service Center on MIT campus (E17-106, on the first floor of Building E17) during the walk-in hours listed on MIT's background check page. You should expect the process to take about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. By appointment. You may request an appointment for a different time with Andrea Finnin, andreaf@mit.edu. Please only use this option if it is completely necessary, as Andrea’s availability is limited.

If you are a registered MIT student, this background check is valid for four years for any MIT program involving minors as long as you remain a student. If you are not a registered MIT student, this background check is only valid for this instance of the ESP program you are being background checked for. You will need to do another background check for future ESP programs.

Remote background checks

If you are unable to make it to MIT campus to perform a background check before HSSP, there is a process for remote background checks available. To start this process, contact Andrea Finnin at andreaf@mit.edu with your full legal name and preferred email address. Afterwards, you'll be contacted by MIT to continue.

If you are a registered MIT student, this background check is valid for four years for any MIT program involving minors as long as you remain a student. If you are not a registered MIT student, this background check is only valid for this instance of the ESP program you are being background checked for. You will need to do another background check for future ESP programs.