UA Officials Check Student Backgrounds: Fewer Than 10 Admit Criminal History That Could Keep Them From Dorms

By Carol Biliczky, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Jan. 11–Fewer than 10 University of Akron students have admitted to a criminal past that could disqualify them from living in UA residence halls.

UA spokesman Ken Torisky said the background of those students are being examined now by university officials.

“Some of them gave us much more information than we needed,” he said.

Some students disclosed information about minor traffic tickets, for instance, when the university was looking for felony convictions for violence, drugs or sexual offenses that could put other students in UA housing at risk.

For the first time, UA is asking its 2,600 or so housing applicants whether they have criminal histories.

The decision followed news last year that at least four felons — two in their 40s — were living in UA housing with students as young as 18.

While not admitting any wrongdoing, the university paid $8,000 to a former UA law student to settle a lawsuit he filed over being assigned to live with an undercover drug informant. Two other lawsuits regarding that case are pending.

In December, UA President Luis Proenza announced that the university would follow the policy of most other state universities in Ohio when it comes to students with criminal records.

They ask students whether they have a criminal history when they apply for admission to the university or for on-campus housing. They may prevent some students with criminal histories from living in their housing, depending on the circumstances of the crime.

In UA’s case, housing officials sent e-mail and letters to all students who applied to live in UA housing this semester, which starts Tuesday.

That included students who lived on campus in the fall semester.

Now the offices of the dean of students, general counsel and university police are examining the backgrounds of students who disclosed a criminal history.

While criminal histories may prohibit some of them from living in UA’s 13 residence halls, they still would be admitted to the university, officials have said.

Carol Biliczky can be reached at 330-996-3729 or cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

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