Getting serious about background checks

More college admissions offices are asking potential students to squeal on themselves and disclose their criminal histories and discipline records on their applications.

The Common Application -- an admissions form used by about 320 colleges and universities nationwide -- added the question late last summer, placing more scrutiny than ever on this round of college-bound, high-school seniors.

But the recent addition to the most commonly used college application form reveals a rift in opinion among higher-education officials, who disagree on whether past behavioral problems should factor into college-entrance decisions.

Supporters point to liability concerns, saying colleges have a responsibility to screen whether potential students are dangerous, a precaution that could keep sexual predators out of the dorms and violent students off the campus.

Critics argue that asking for the information is a breach in the confidentiality rules that protect juveniles' criminal-history records, and they say education can be a way to reform young adults with troubled pasts.

Barmak Nassirian, a spokesman for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, said the group is troubled by the growing number of schools asking for the records.

"We don't want education to become this arena we close to everybody who has ever done something suspect, criminal, stupid or inappropriate," he said. "We don't endorse criminal behavior, but once the person has been punished by the judicial system and then allowed to rejoin society, it strikes us as odd to suggest that their presence on campus is dangerous, but their presence elsewhere in society is not."

The association opposes soliciting such information, except in cases where criminal histories could prevent applicants from going into the specialized field they are applying for, Nassirian said. He gave examples of nursing or teaching programs that run background checks on applicants, and he said it would be futile to admit students who can't get licensed.

Nassirian pointed to other flaws with such questions: criminal records of those younger than 18 are sealed; and applicants may be dishonest or refuse to answer the question.

Students applying to Southeast Missouri State University have been asked to disclose their criminal history for the last 25 years.

Danielle Alspaugh, associate director of admissions for operations at Southeast, said students are required to fill out if they've committed a misdemeanor or felony, and if they've been suspended or expelled from an educational institution on the admissions application.

"If they do indicate on the form that they have committed a criminal action, they have to fully detail what happened on a separate sheet of paper," she said.

The applications are then reviewed by judicial affairs and each student's application is handled on a case-by-case basis, Alspaugh said.

Alspaugh would not comment on why Southeast asks students to reveal criminal history.

The University of Colorado at Boulder has long had its own version of the question on its applications, according to the school's admission director, Kevin MacLennan.

The campus wants to admit students who are strong academically and also good citizens, he said.

When CU applicants indicate they've been convicted of a crime, registered as a sex offender or have been suspended or expelled from high school, the university sends them a supplemental form asking for more information about any incidents.

The application is then reviewed by a committee, which includes a CU police officer and officials from other campus departments, including admissions and judicial affairs.

Ryan Chreist, the associate admissions director who works with the panel, said members conduct reviews on about 50 cases that involve serious crimes or violations.

"We want to make sure we know who we are bringing to the campus," Chreist said.

And that includes being alert to applicants who have been arrested for violent or sexual crimes, or have a pattern of criminal offenses, he said.

Admissions officials at CU say their process is fair, and they give applicants room to explain steps they've taken to remedy behavioral problems or how they've changed since the incidents. Applicants can also appeal the university's decision, according to the school.

"Every case is looked at individually," Chreist said.

Would-be CU students sign their applications, pledging that the information they've provided is true, and acknowledging that their acceptance can be pulled if they've lied on the form. Past crimes that are not revealed on applications, Chreist said, could come to light if a student runs into trouble while at CU.

Staff writer Jennifer Freeze contributed to this report.