Felony Conviction Policy (ADM 100-005)

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the procedures for applicants with felony convictions applying to Baker College. Applicants must disclose any felony charges, convictions, or current incarceration during the application process and submit a personal statement detailing their background. A mandatory background check, paid for by the applicant, is also required. This policy ensures the safety of the Baker College community and assesses the applicant’s ability to successfully complete their chosen program. The College conducts a thorough review of each applicant’s background to determine their eligibility for admission.

2.0 Definitions

Background Check - A comprehensive review of an individual’s criminal history, including felony convictions, conducted by an authorized service provider. The applicant is responsible for the cost of this check.

3.0 Scope

This policy applies to all prospective students applying to Baker College who have been charged with or convicted of a felony, or who are currently incarcerated. It encompasses the entire admissions process for these applicants, including the disclosure of felony convictions, submission of personal statements, and completion of background checks.The policy affects multiple entities within the College, including the office of Admissions, and other relevant administrative departments responsible for reviewing applications and conducting background checks such as Campus Safety and Academics.

4.0 Policy Statement

At the time of applying to Baker College, applicants are required to disclose whether they have been charged with or convicted of a felony or felonies and/or are currently incarcerated. If the applicant indicates yes to this question, they should also submit a personal statement detailing their backgrounds as part of the application process. Following receipt of the application for admissions and personal statement, the College will furnish students with access codes for background checks, for which students are responsible for covering the associated costs. The College conducts these checks to ensure the safety of the Baker College community and to assess whether, based on the student's criminal background, they may be able to complete the program successfully given the nature of their background.  Baker College recognizes that each applicant’s situation is unique, and as such the College will conduct a thorough review of the background checks and circumstances of all prospective students with felony convictions to determine their eligibility for admission.

Considerations made during the review process include, but are not limited to, the following factors, particularly concerning the safety of students and employees:

•  Baker College considers all circumstances applicable to potential students, including any felony convictions.
• Baker College considers specific program requirements, accrediting body requirements, licensing requirements and issues related to the fact that minors are attending College.
• If a potential student has been convicted of a felony, Baker College considers the specifics of the conviction. The specifics include the following:
  • The number of offenses/convictions,
  • The type of the original charge(s),
  • The crime(s) for which the potential student was convicted,
  • The length of time since the date(s) of conviction(s),
  • The length of time served,
  • If the potential student was incarcerated, the length of time from the release date and
  • Any other relevant information requested by the College.
• If the applicant is on parole, they may be asked to provide the name and contact information of their parole officer. The College may obtain the conditions of parole and also determine whether admittance is possible within the conditions of parole.
• f necessary and/or requested by the College, the applicant will provide any releases or waivers necessary to obtain information that the College deems relevant.
• Baker College considers any documented success of rehabilitation.
• A personal interview may be required. After review of the available information, Baker College determines whether to deny admission, admit the potential student or admit the potential student with conditions.

5.0 Procedures

At the time of application, all prospective students are asked to disclose whether they have been charged with or convicted of a felony or felonies, or if they are currently incarcerated.

Upon receipt of an application indicating that the student has been charged with or convicted of a felony or felonies, or is currently incarcerated, the student will receive an automated communication, informing them of the requirement to submit both a background check and a personal statement detailing their background as part of the application process.

Upon receipt of both the personal statement and background check, the VP of Enrollment Management and the Director(s) of Admissions will conduct a thorough review of the background check results and the applicant’s personal statement. This review may be escalated to other departments, such as Student Success & Engagement, Campus Administration or Academic Affairs, for their review depending upon the nature of the pending charge or conviction as it pertains to the safety of the Baker College community and/or admissibility to the applicant's intended Major.

Based on the comprehensive review, the College will determine the applicant’s eligibility for admission. Please note that the College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant deemed disruptive to the educational environment.

The applicant will be notified of the admission decision once the review is complete. All documents related to the felony disclosure, personal statement, background check, and admission decision will be securely stored in the applicant’s file.

6.0 Responsibilities

Admissions Professionals

Ensure that all prospective students are informed of the requirement to disclose felony convictions during the application process.

Provide guidance to applicants pertaining to the steps necessary to complete and submit the necessary documentation, including the personal statement and background check.

Provide access codes for background checks and inform applicants of their responsibility to cover the associated costs.

Office of Admissions

Facilitate the processing of personal statements and background checks in a timely manner.

Maintain accurate records of all interactions and submissions related to the felony conviction process.

Review submitted applications and personal statements for completeness and accuracy.

Conduct thorough reviews of background check results and personal statements.

Assess applicants' eligibility for admission based on the nature and circumstances of their felony convictions or incarceration.

Maintain secure and confidential records of all related documents and decisions.

Ensure the online application system includes fields for disclosing felony convictions and submitting personal statements.

Provide technical support to applicants experiencing issues with the online submission process.

Director(s) of Admissions

Oversee the implementation and adherence to the felony conviction process policy.

Ensure that all admission staff are trained on the procedures and responsibilities associated with this policy.

Escalate any issues or concerns regarding the policy to higher administration as needed.

7.0 Citations & Related Information

None