Requirements
At a minimum, the background check must verify the applicant or employee's social security number, obtain information regarding past employment, and perform a nationwide search of the individual's criminal background in the individual's counties of residence for the last seven years.
Payment of Fees
Each department will pay the cost of criminal background checks.
Risk Assessment
If a criminal background check shows prior convictions within the past seven years, the Background Review Committee will assess the overall risk to the University. That risk assessment will include but not be limited to: (1) number of convictions, (2) nature and severity of convictions, (3) the length of time that has elapsed since the last conviction, (4) likelihood of recidivism, (5) the security sensitivity of the position sought by the applicant or held by the existing employee, and (6) other factors that may be relevant. The Background Review Committee, in consultation with the hiring administrator, will determine whether an individual with a criminal history should be considered eligible to obtain or retain the position, or whether additional documentation is required.
Opportunity to Respond
Before an applicant is denied employment or an employee is subjected to an adverse employment action based on information obtained in the background report, the applicant or employee shall receive a copy of the report, written notice of the reasons for denial or adverse action, a written description of his/her rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and shall have an opportunity to respond to the contents of the criminal background check and any proposed action taken by the University as a result of this check. Notification of intent to respond must be given to the Office of Human Resources Office within three (3) business days of receiving the report if the applicant or employee desires to respond to the background report. The University will provide the applicant or employee a reasonable opportunity to address the information contained in the report.
Limitations on the Use of Information
The information contained in the background check will be available only to those individuals involved in making employment decisions or performing the background investigation. This information will be used only for the purpose of making an employment decision. A copy of the background check will be provided to the applicant upon request.