UC Riverside Recreation has received a top accreditation from a national leader in abuse risk management.
The department was awarded the accreditation, the highest industry standard, on June 10 following a rigorous review by Praesidium, a firm that trains and evaluates organizations in abuse prevention.
Awarded for three years, the recognition marks an important milestone for Campus Recreation, reflecting a commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment for all participants, said Tamara Stewart, campus risk manager with Risk Management.
“This recognition reinforces our dedication to continuous improvement, transparency, and responsible practices that support the well-being of everyone we serve,” she said.
Campus Recreation has been working with Risk Management since 2018 on creating more robust youth protection policies, said Carl Dugdale, assistant director for Youth Camps and Activities.
“UCR engages thousands of youth on campus each year and we considered it essential to ensure that youth who visit are engaged safely and responsibly,” he said.
The department provides recreational camps and programs, including ones for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, for local, national, and international youth.
The accreditation involved an evaluation of multiple aspects of the organization including its policies, procedures, screening, training, supervision, incident response, and administrative practices.
Risk Management plans to work with other campus departments to raise their standards to match those in Recreation.