2008 Woodie Awards
More schools using checks
UCF looks at some applicants, not all
Stefanie Kuncman
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: News
Almost 10 percent of colleges now require students to submit to background checks before they can live on campus to increase the safety of college housing.
UCF, however, does not check a student's background unless the student indicates a criminal history on his or her admissions application.
According to a press release by Elizabeth Bloch of Certified Background, the leading provider of student background checks in the nation, colleges have increased background checks due to incidents resulting in deadly violence on campus such as Virginia Tech. Bloch said that schools are realizing how hazardous it is to allow potentially dangerous students to live with others in school-sanctioned housing.
UCF does not have a formal process for background-checking students before they move into campus housing. According to UCF News & Information, however, every applicant is required to tell the univsersity of any criminal history when they apply.
UCF officials say they value its students' safety.
"The safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority at UCF," a statement from News & Information said.
Adam Ward, Florida's representative from Certified Background, contacted Christi Hartzler from UCF's Department of Housing and Residence Life last December. He said Hartzler said UCF was not ready to include background checks in the housing application process.
"Even if the search is as minor as a nationwide sexual offender search, it would save us from unsafe housing," Ward said. "Some schools are reactive while some are proactive," Ward said.
And UCF is not without a screening procedure. According to News & Information, cases of students with criminal histories are turned over to the Office of Student Conduct for investigation. Office of Student Conduct then decides whether to recommend students for admission to the college.
If admitted, the office of Housing and Residence Life reviews the Office of Student Conduct's recommendations for those students who have applied to live on campus.
UCF, however, does not check a student's background unless the student indicates a criminal history on his or her admissions application.
According to a press release by Elizabeth Bloch of Certified Background, the leading provider of student background checks in the nation, colleges have increased background checks due to incidents resulting in deadly violence on campus such as Virginia Tech. Bloch said that schools are realizing how hazardous it is to allow potentially dangerous students to live with others in school-sanctioned housing.
UCF does not have a formal process for background-checking students before they move into campus housing. According to UCF News & Information, however, every applicant is required to tell the univsersity of any criminal history when they apply.
UCF officials say they value its students' safety.
"The safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority at UCF," a statement from News & Information said.
Adam Ward, Florida's representative from Certified Background, contacted Christi Hartzler from UCF's Department of Housing and Residence Life last December. He said Hartzler said UCF was not ready to include background checks in the housing application process.
"Even if the search is as minor as a nationwide sexual offender search, it would save us from unsafe housing," Ward said. "Some schools are reactive while some are proactive," Ward said.
And UCF is not without a screening procedure. According to News & Information, cases of students with criminal histories are turned over to the Office of Student Conduct for investigation. Office of Student Conduct then decides whether to recommend students for admission to the college.
If admitted, the office of Housing and Residence Life reviews the Office of Student Conduct's recommendations for those students who have applied to live on campus.
Be the first to comment on this story