Felony Conviction Policy (ADM 100-005)

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish Baker College’s commitment to evaluating applicants with felony convictions in a fair, consistent, and comprehensive manner, while upholding the safety and integrity of the College community and assessing the applicant’s ability to successfully complete their chosen program in compliance with applicable industry regulations.

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.

Felony Conviction - A formal judgment entered by a court indicating that an individual has been found guilty, or has pleaded guilty or no contest, to a criminal offense classified as a felony under applicable federal, state, or local law. This includes convictions resulting from plea agreements, deferred adjudication, or equivalent legal dispositions.

Incarceration - The state of being confined in a jail, prison, or other correctional facility as the result of a criminal conviction, pending trial, or detention. Incarceration may occur at the local, state, or federal level and includes both pre-trial detention and post-sentencing imprisonment.

Parole - A conditional release from incarceration granted to an individual before the completion of their full sentence, allowing them to serve the remainder of the sentence under community supervision. Individuals on parole must comply with specific terms and conditions set by a parole board or supervising authority. Violation of these conditions may result in a return to incarceration.

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 governs the disclosure, documentation, and review process associated with such applicants during the admissions process.

The policy also outlines responsibilities for multiple departments involved in the review and decision-making process, including the Office of Admissions, Campus Safety, Academic Affairs, and other relevant administrative units.

4.0 Policy Statement

Baker College is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment. As part of this commitment, the College requires applicants to disclose any felony convictions or current incarceration as part of the admissions process. This disclosure allows the College to assess each applicant’s eligibility for admission in a fair and consistent manner, while also upholding campus safety and integrity.

The College recognizes that individuals with felony convictions may seek to pursue higher education as part of their rehabilitation and personal growth. Each applicant’s situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the nature and timing of the conviction, relevant program or licensure requirements, and any documented evidence of rehabilitation.

Baker College’s admission determinations for applicants with felony convictions are guided by the principles of public safety, academic integrity, and the applicant’s ability to successfully complete their intended program of study. The College reserves the right to determine admission eligibility based on the specific circumstances of each applicant.

5.0 Procedures

Disclosure During Application

• All prospective students are required to disclose during the application process whether they have been charged with or convicted of a felony, or are currently incarcerated.
• This disclosure is captured within the online application system.

Notification and Documentation Requirements

• If an applicant discloses a felony conviction or current incarceration, they will receive automated communication from the College outlining the next steps.
• The applicant is required to:
  • Submit a personal statement detailing their background and circumstances.
  • Complete a background check using access codes provided by the College.
  • Cover the full cost of the background check.

Review of Submitted Materials

• Upon receipt of the personal statement and background check results, the Vice President of Enrollment Management and the Director(s) of Admissions will conduct a preliminary review.
• This review may be escalated to additional departments—including Student Success & Engagement, Campus Administration, or Academic Affairs—based on the nature of the conviction and its relevance to campus safety or specific program requirements.

Assessment Criteria

• The College considers the following non-exhaustive factors when evaluating the applicant’s eligibility:
  • The number and nature of offenses or convictions.
  • The original charges and offenses resulting in conviction.
  • The time elapsed since the conviction(s) or release from incarceration.
  • The length and terms of any incarceration or parole.
  • Any documented evidence of rehabilitation or personal progress.
  • Licensing, accreditation, or placement restrictions associated with the applicant’s intended program of study.
  • The presence of minors in the College environment.
  • Any additional information deemed relevant to the review process.
• If the applicant is on parole, they may be required to provide the name and contact information of their parole officer. The College may request and review parole conditions to assess alignment with campus participation.

Supplemental Information and Interviews

• The applicant may be required to submit additional documentation, such as waivers or releases, to obtain information relevant to the review process.
• A personal interview may be requested to further assess the applicant’s suitability for admission.

Admission Decision

• Based on the comprehensive review, the College will determine whether to:
  • Deny admission;
  • Admit the applicant unconditionally; or
  • Admit the applicant with specific conditions.
• The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant whose background is determined to pose a disruption to the educational environment or community safety.

Communication and Records

• The applicant will be notified of the final admission decision following the conclusion of the review process.
• All documents related to the disclosure, personal statement, background check, and final decision will be securely stored in the applicant’s admissions file in accordance with institutional records management and privacy policies.
  

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