If a new draft policy is approved, Ohio University will require background checks for finalists for university positions, but faculty members are worried about a possible abuse of power.
The background checks '-
she said. Invading people's privacy there needs to be a good reason for doing that.
Bernt said that very few institutions require criminal conviction checks for every finalist but that some have a list of positions that would require checks.- he said. I think this will be a welcome aid to the search process. We need to assure that the highest quality of faculty and staff are recruited at the university.
David Hopka, assistant vice president for Safety & Risk Management, helped draft the proposal. He said that as part of his role for the university he provides counsel on risk management, adding that risk comes in different forms, one of which is people.
Performing background checks is one tool that a lot of organizations use to help them manage the risk that may come with employees or employment
he said. Performing background checks is a widely accepted and sound human resources management process.
Kemper said the draft policy was created with input from faculty, classified and administrative senates, Hopka and experts. He said that it took about a year to research.
He said the draft policy is being evaluated and was distributed to Faculty Senate for feedback and recommendations, and a new draft could be altered depending on response. He said he invited representatives from other universities that have gone through similar experiences to campus.
The criminal conviction checks would be conducted when finalists identify a charge, pending indictment or conviction of a felony or misdemeanor on their applications, according to the draft of the proposed policy.
Kemper said the university wants to recruit people who do not have backgrounds that are deemed inappropriate for the workplace, and such backgrounds include drug-related charges or recent charges of driving under the influence. He said people who have been involved in illegal activity yet have had a clean record for a substantial number of years will not be eliminated necessarily.
In addition to finalists who identify past criminal activity, those applying for sensitive positions, such as working with minors or controlled substances, would be subject to a criminal conviction check, according to the draft policy.
It could be a useful thing in some cases
said Ben Ogles, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Debatin said that across the board, the administration felt a need for the blanket criminal background check, but the university cannot have invasive criminal convictions checks on everyone.
Kemper said the draft policy reflects a common practice among top-tier research universities.
What we are trying to do is incorporate a well accepted practice
he said.-
we are unaware of any universities that began the service and then ceased it.
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