Universities are asking students to divulge ANY contact they’ve had with the police or courts

MassPrivateI

According to the ‘Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law‘ SEVENTEEN universities require students to divulge ANY contact they’ve had with the police or courts.

“The first phase of the initiative seeks information from 17 colleges and universities that include inquiries on their applications regarding contact with the criminal justice system, including arrests that did not lead to conviction, sealed or expunged youthful offender records, or pardoned records.”

“The Lawyers’ Committee’s preliminary review of the application process utilized by colleges and universities revealed that the information sought by the schools had no legitimate educational justification and no bearing on whether a student would succeed in the classroom. Rejecting orevaluating college applicants based solely on information regarding stops, detentions or other contact with the criminal justice system has a disproportionate impact on African-American boys and men, who are more likely than their white counterparts to be stopped, detained and arrested by police.”

Wake up America, the Police State is out of control.

Sadly, this is only the tip of the iceberg. According to a NY Times article there are more than 17 universities doing this.

“The Lawyers’ Committee said it planned to contact the 17 institutions on its list as the first wave of a national initiative aimed at reducing the impact of even minor criminal histories on college admissions.”

600 colleges use the Common Application, which requires applicants to check “yes” or “no” on whether they’ve been convicted of a crime or faced serious disciplinary action in school.

Universities are calling applicants and asking them to explain ANY contact they’ve had with police or the courts…

Charles Martin, an Auburn University spokesman, said indicating “yes” to the crime question on the application did not disqualify students. “The admissions office calls the applicant directly to obtain more information,” he said.

Below, are two more disturbing examples of the types of questions being asked…

From the University of Alabama: “Have you ever received a written or oral warning not to trespass on public or private property?”

From Virginia Tech: “Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a violation of any local, state or federal law, other than a minor traffic violation?”

How long before job applicants are asked these same questions?

A 2010 study called “The Use Of Criminal History Records In College Admission Reconsidered”
found that 66% of colleges ask for criminal history information in admissions, and some of them look unfavorably on misdemeanor arrests.

“A broad array of convictions are viewed as negative factors in the context of admissions decision-making, including drug and alcohol convictions, misdemeanor convictions, and youthful offender adjudications.”

“No link has been established between having a criminal record and posing a risk to campus safety.”

“Our argument for eliminating the collection and use of CJI in admissions decisions is in large part based on the absence of any empirical evidence showing that students with criminal records pose a safety risk on campus.”

The Center for Community Alternatives, recommendation:

“Colleges and universities should refrain from collecting and using criminal justice information in the context of college admissions.”

Below is the Lawyers’ Committee’s list of 17 universities asking students to divulge any police or court encounters they’ve had.

Auburn University, Auburn University-Montgomery, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Mobile in Alabama; Florida International University, Florida State University, and the University of North Florida in Florida; Clark Atlanta University and the University of Georgia in Georgia; Catawba College in North Carolina; The Citadel in South Carolina; Louisiana State University in Louisiana; and Emory & Henry College, Hampton University, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech University in Virginia.

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