SUNY policy requires applicants for admission as undergraduates and graduate students to report whether they have been convicted of a felony or have been dismissed from an institution of higher education for disciplinary reasons. NYS Corrections Law [Sections 750, 752 and 753] forbids discrimination against individuals previously convicted of criminal offenses. However, the law does allow an institution to deny admission to an applicant based on prior criminal convictions when such admission would involve “an unreasonable risk to property or would pose a risk to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the public.” The felony/dismissal question is now on all MCC admission applications. As a result, prospective students who are academically eligible and respond affirmatively to the felony/dismissal question receive a “registration hold” on their application while additional information is sought and authority for a background investigation is obtained.
Upon receipt of the permission from the applicant, Public Safety conducts a comprehensive background check, which may include interviews with probation or parole officers and/or the applicant. When completed, the Director of Public Safety recommends to the college whether the applicant should be admitted, and if so, any conditions for admission (for example, eligibility for on-campus housing, campus employment, etc.). The same process is also used for known registered sex offenders.
The Director of Public Safety, the Director of Admissions, the Associate Vice President of Student Services and the Vice President of Student Services serve as the College Admissions Review Committee and review each ex-offender application. The Director of Admissions coordinates all final processing and notification to the applicant. The written policy is still in the review process and will be formally communicated to the campus community when finalized.
Any community member who has concerns regarding an ex-felon or sex offender should contact Public Safety (292-2902) or the Student Services Office (292-2122).
Susan M. Salvador
Vice President, Student Services
02/08/2010 |