Survey: one in 29 college students have criminal backgrounds
Daniel Althouse
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
Last update: 2/4/10 at 2:32 AM EST
A recent national survey of 13,859 students at 125 higher education institutions found that one in 29 college students have some type of criminal record.
MyBackgroundCheck.com, the company that conducted the survey in December 2009, allows students to check their own backgrounds and determine whether or not the information is correct. The company declined to comment on what schools were used in the study.
CEO Robert Mather said he believes the results of the survey reflect the entire nation.
"The reason I released the statistics was to start a debate because there are passionate people on both sides," Mather said, referring to people arguing both for and against more confidentiality regarding criminal background checks.
Mather said one point of contention is whether college students should be able to access their roommates' criminal backgrounds. He stressed that his company does not provide services to colleges.
"MyBackgroundCheck is exclusively for people to check their own backgrounds," he said.
While Mather wants to spark debate about the accessibility of criminal records, he added that he is passionate about ensuring that criminal records should not be attainable by just anyone. The real debate, he said, is whether or not people have the right to know criminal information about other people.
Norman Conti, assistant professor of sociology, said if universities were to check criminal backgrounds, they would intrude on the students' privacy.
Conti said people make mistakes - young people more so than others - and those mistakes should not count against them.
"[One in 29] is a fairly low number," Conti said of the survey. "I'm surprised it's not higher."
To apply for an undergraduate program at Duquesne, students must answer the following question on their application: "Are there any criminal charges presently pending against you other than a summary traffic offense? If yes, attach a separate sheet and describe in full detail."
The Office of Admissions could not be reached for comment by deadline, but Karen Ferrick-Roman, a spokeswoman for Duquesne University, said the University does not investigate criminal backgrounds beyond the information provided on applications.
According to Conti, schools should shy away from imposing stricter standards for students with criminal backgrounds.
"Education is a way to keep people out of trouble," Conti said.
MyBackgroundCheck.com, the company that conducted the survey in December 2009, allows students to check their own backgrounds and determine whether or not the information is correct. The company declined to comment on what schools were used in the study.
CEO Robert Mather said he believes the results of the survey reflect the entire nation.
"The reason I released the statistics was to start a debate because there are passionate people on both sides," Mather said, referring to people arguing both for and against more confidentiality regarding criminal background checks.
Mather said one point of contention is whether college students should be able to access their roommates' criminal backgrounds. He stressed that his company does not provide services to colleges.
"MyBackgroundCheck is exclusively for people to check their own backgrounds," he said.
While Mather wants to spark debate about the accessibility of criminal records, he added that he is passionate about ensuring that criminal records should not be attainable by just anyone. The real debate, he said, is whether or not people have the right to know criminal information about other people.
Norman Conti, assistant professor of sociology, said if universities were to check criminal backgrounds, they would intrude on the students' privacy.
Conti said people make mistakes - young people more so than others - and those mistakes should not count against them.
"[One in 29] is a fairly low number," Conti said of the survey. "I'm surprised it's not higher."
To apply for an undergraduate program at Duquesne, students must answer the following question on their application: "Are there any criminal charges presently pending against you other than a summary traffic offense? If yes, attach a separate sheet and describe in full detail."
The Office of Admissions could not be reached for comment by deadline, but Karen Ferrick-Roman, a spokeswoman for Duquesne University, said the University does not investigate criminal backgrounds beyond the information provided on applications.
According to Conti, schools should shy away from imposing stricter standards for students with criminal backgrounds.
"Education is a way to keep people out of trouble," Conti said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John
posted 2/04/10 @ 12:27 PM EST
So if a rapist wants to room with me. One convicted last week, it is an invasion of privacy for me to know? If my instructor is a child molesteer, I shouldnt know. (Continued…)
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