3.3 Admission of Students with Past Felonies

(Adopted 5-6-2019)

To enhance student success and the safety of the East Central College community, all applicants are responsible for informing the College on the application for admission if they have pled guilty to or been convicted of a felony. The College may admit, admit with restrictions, defer, or deny admission based on the nature and circumstance of the crime(s). Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to selective admission programs.

Upon pleading guilty to or being convicted of a felony, admitted students are required to self-report in writing to the Chief Student Affairs Officer. The College may deny continued enrollment based upon the nature and circumstances of the allegation or conviction.

Procedures: (Adopted 5-6-2019)

3.3.1 Application Review Process

  1. If an applicant responds “yes” to either of the criminal background questions on the application for admission, the application will be placed in pending status, which prohibits applicants from enrolling in or accessing other College services.
  2. The applicant will be required to submit a personal statement form. The form requires students to list all prior felony convictions, provide a statement regarding the positive changes made since conviction, and provide a declaration of academic and career goals. Additionally, if a student is currently on probation and/or parole, the student is required to list their probation and/or parole officer.
  3. The applicant will be required to submit a certified criminal background check. If the applicant’s criminal record extends beyond the state of Missouri, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to obtain a certified background check for each state, as appropriate. The applicant is responsible for payment of all costs associated with the background check.
  4. After the supplemental application and the background check are submitted, the documents will be reviewed by members of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). The BIT will determine if the applicant should be admitted or be required to interview with the members of the BIT.
  5. If an applicant is required to participate in an interview, the applicant will receive notification from the College of the time, date, and location for the interview. If the applicant cannot attend the scheduled interview, they must notify the office of the Chief Student Affairs Officer (CSAO) and request to reschedule the interview. Failure to reschedule or attend the interview will result in the application remaining in pending status until such a time the interview can take place. Admission will not be approved for any applicant whose status is pending.
  6. For each file review and/or interview, three members of the BIT will participate. Each member will have one vote. A simple majority vote is necessary to make any decision or recommendation.
  7. A simple majority vote is sufficient for the BIT panel to require a psychological assessment of an applicant as a condition of admission. The applicant will pay all costs related to such assessment. The panel will specify a timeline for assessment and provisions for communicating the assessment outcome to the BIT panel.
  8. Based on a majority vote, the BIT panel will issue a short rationale for its recommendation, which shall be shown to the applicant upon request. The BIT panel may recommend to:
    1. Admit the applicant
    2. Admit the applicant with restrictions or conditions
    3. Continue the applicant’s status as pending, awaiting the outcome of a psychological assessment or other required information
    4. Continue the applicant’s status as pending, deferring admission for a specified period of time
    5. Deny admission
    6. Void an admission that was obtained inappropriately.
  9. The BIT panel will make recommendations to the CSAO on admission to the College and conditions of enrollment if applicable. Final determinations regarding enrollment of students with past criminal activity rests with the CSAO. The CSAO may require the student to meet with them and other designees prior to an admission decision. If the CSAO does not concur with the recommendation of the BIT panel, a short rationale regarding the decision will be issued, which shall be shown to the applicant upon request.
  10. Upon pleading guilty to or being convicted of a felony, an admitted student is required to notify the CSAO in writing. The student will then be required to meet with a BIT panel. The panel will make a recommendation to the CSAO on whether enrollment should continue.
  11. If a student incorrectly indicates on their application that they have a felony conviction(s), the student may sign a statement indicating an error was made. A signed statement will allow the student to continue the admission process without participating in the review process.