Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Plan would require FBI background check on some N.D. students

Plan would require FBI background check on some N.D. students

Nov 16, 2007 - 04:04:09 CST

By DAVE KOLPACK
Associated Press Writer

DEVILS LAKE - Some North Dakota university students would have to be fingerprinted and pay $55 for a criminal background check, under a plan given preliminary approval by the state Board of Higher Education.

Schools already can seek background checks using state or private firms, but they are not always as extensive as FBI reports, board members said. The plan discussed Thursday would require FBI criminal history reports for students and employees who are designated by the university chancellor.

Students in education, pharmacy and other medical fields likely would be required to get FBI checks, as well as police and security officials and new employees, board attorney Pat Seaworth said.

"It makes sense to check that information for certain programs," Seaworth said. Education students, for example, need criminal history reports for jobs placement, "so we might as well get that information on the front end," he said.

Most of the students affected by the policy would be college juniors or seniors who have narrowed their career choices. Board member Tom Barnhart said the students should be warned ahead of time that their acceptance into certain upper-level programs could be affected by their history.

"I think that should be documented up front," Barnhart said.

The requirement for FBI checks would not apply to senior administrators, for now.

"There might be a trend to go to more comprehensive reports (on administrators)," Seaworth said. "If that happens ... we can always go back and revisit it."

Seaworth said the schools likely would cover the $55 cost of FBI checks for employees, but students would pay through tuition or a special fee.

"The students will end up paying one way or the other," Seaworth said.

The new policy was prompted by the killing of Valley City State University student Mindy Morgenstern. An FBI background check was not conducted on Moe Gibbs, the man charged with her killing, when he was hired as a Barnes County jailer. He had changed his name from Glen Dale Morgan Jr.

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Comments

cbranchwilmington wrote on Dec 3, 2007 10:10 AM:

" People, Although FBI checks are good, they are good for ARREST RECORDS only! There are plenty of people in the world that have been to court, and have gotten off while not being "processed" by the system that have misdemeanor and felony records. I know because I work with some of those individuals. Let us keep in mind a couple of things. 1. This is a database that we are talking about. It gets its information from county and state records. But how fresh is the information (because it is a database.) For those of you who like the new Livescan system of the FBI it is used to detect possible matches in the system.) Note here that different states report different criminal information from the state levelsbut county records report the same information all of the time. 2. The FBI does not listen to whatever criteria the employer or school needs to hire or admit a person. It is either pass/fail so to the guy who is trying to get employment from Best Buy, and they use the FBI check, he will not get a job to support his family because the FBI check found a DWI charge on his record therefore he receives a red x on his FBI check? The crime was not relevant to the position he was applying for. 3. This FBI Database is getting larger therefore the percentage for mistakes in this system will grow accordingly. The best search out for criminal information is through county courthouse records. "

Avid Reader wrote on Nov 16, 2007 11:57 PM:

" I think the point people who oppose the checks are trying to make is this: we are slowly becomming a country that is going to require everyone to have thier "papers" in order. Just take a look at some of the proposed drivers licenses in border states. These will act as passports for Mexico and Canada. Some states now require you to have ID on you at all times and to produce it upon demand by any peace officer. Sorry folks but all this in the name of terrorism protection is absurd. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights are slowly being dwindled away, one right at a time. Soon we will be no different than that old country we dispised for over a half a century, the former USSR. Will we soon have our own "Berlin Wall" too? Somet hings to think about when we consider we may soon have to have checks in every area of our lives. "Your papers please"! "

JP wrote on Nov 16, 2007 6:22 PM:

" TO John- Yours is a difficult situation and I do not envy you in the least. There is more to "doing your time" than just the prison sentence and you are suffering through that now. Congrats on continuing your education and trying to better yourself. As Joe Dirt would say "keep on keepin' on" I hope that if you can keep the right attitude that an opportunity comes your way. TO freemarketradical- No one is presuming guilt. I am not sure I want a convicted drug user to be a nurse and have access to me and drugs in the hospital. There is no mention of DNA stuff in the article so settle down on that issue. This is the same check you have to get in order to work at airports... It is really not a big deal... unless you have something to hide. "

freemarketradical wrote on Nov 16, 2007 3:37 PM:

" Is it not already difficult enough to get students to go into teaching or nursing? This presumption of guilt is not only unecessary it is unamerican. "

John wrote on Nov 16, 2007 2:44 PM:

" Im a felon, I have paid my dues. I went to college, and I graduated. Right before I finished school, 911 happened. It has all gone down hill from there. Since I have a record, I cant get a job for what I went to school for. Knowing that is how it is now, I guess if I was to think of going to school for something that requires a background check, I wouldnt take up that profession. But before 911, unless it was a gov. job, there really wasn't a background check. But now they lump all of societys' wrongdoers together, and assume were all the same. I am stuck working construction jobs basically now, as every good job requires me to fill out the criminal history, so I never get the job, even though I am more qualified than 99 percent of other applicants. I just recently paid off my financial aid loan for the schooling I went to. Looking back, that was a huge waste of money. I think society wants me to fail, as I really have no options as long as everyone is scared of me working for them. I made some mistakes 12 years ago and havent done anything since. But that doesnt matter, once a felon always a felon in people eyes today. I apply at jobs all the time, but have yet to get one, and I have been out of school for a few years now. Does anyone know how to get pardoned, that is my only choice, and it looks like I am at an uphill battle in todays world. Like they say, one bad apple spoils it for the whole bunch. But I did the crime, so I guess this is my time. Just because I had probation and in your eyes it looks like I got off easy, I am still paying for my bad decision 12 years later. "

Its Just Beginning wrote on Nov 16, 2007 1:54 PM:

" This is just the start. More & more background checks for more & more people. Eventually, you all will be cataloged by DNA sample at birth and fitted with a RFID chip that tracks your every move, purchase, and interaction. Once that power is in the hands of the dominant, fascist entities that have garnered control of most industrialized nation's governments, don't you think you will be in a precarious position? Considering the track record of corporate influence and lobbyists on our current government, do you really think you will have any rights or freedom at all? YOU WILL NOT!! "

former education student wrote on Nov 16, 2007 1:03 PM:

" I had to go through a background check and fingerprinting in order to get my teaching license. I guess I wasn't worried about it because I had nothing to hide. It's used as a safeguard. Seriously, do you want a pedophile in the schools with your children? I think not. Get over it and move on with life, many businesses are doing background checks as a prerequisite to obtaining a job. It's sad that our country is that bad off. There are such extremes from the whole ENRON scandal to teachers having sex with their students-it's quite sad but I definitely wouldn't want someone working in my business stealing from me. "

BabyT wrote on Nov 16, 2007 10:36 AM:

" To "at work", are you serious? Lets say you are required to give your employer a DNA sample for employment. Now lets say your DNA shows a predisposition to a certain disease. Sorry, employment denied because you might cost our healthcare plan too much $$$. Nevermind the fact you may NEVER get the disease in question, but your genetic profile shows a predisposition to it. Keep in mind there are also genetic indicators that may show a propensity towards some criminal activity. "

to AT-Work wrote on Nov 16, 2007 9:23 AM:

" If you read the article carefully, students going into education were included. "

Tony wrote on Nov 16, 2007 9:02 AM:

" Unreal "

AT-Work wrote on Nov 16, 2007 8:27 AM:

" Anyone going into Teaching, especially elementary education, clergy, or anything to do with children should also be under this. DNA samples should also be obtained. Our kids need to be protected. To me they are just as important if not MORE important. Why not get a substantial DNA database going? Yeah I know, some feel it's taking away their freedom. My personal feelings are, Please note they are my PERSONAL feelings! If you are not committing crimes then you more than likely are not going to worry about giving a DNA sample. I would not hesitate to give a sample of my DNA to obtain a job in which I would be working with children or in the protection of others. We need to do something about all the sexual predators out there. Maybe a larger database of DNA could help to find those who commit thes henious acts. Again MY opinion. "

How did we get here wrote on Nov 16, 2007 7:41 AM:

" How in the world did we get from a Jailer not getting a background check to students having to submit to and pay for background checks? Hello - one doesn't fit the other. Jailers and Prison Guards should have a background check - but Students - What are we - the new USSR? "

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