New university policy requires disclosure of felonies

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Under a new university policy, faculty, staff, student employees, volunteers and visiting scholars are required to provide notification if they are charged with or convicted of a felony crime. This policy is effective Feb. 1.

The policy — SPG 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions — requires faculty and staff to inform the university within one week of a charge or conviction that occurs on or after Feb. 1.

Information about a faculty or staff member’s criminal activity helps the university maintain a safe community and prevent putting people at risk of harm.

A felony charge or conviction does not automatically disqualify an individual from employment.

Currently, all university job applicants are required to answer criminal history questions on their applications. This includes convictions for both misdemeanors and felonies. The university also conducts a background check before any candidate may begin employment.

Felonies are more serious crimes than misdemeanors and are often punishable by jail time, probation and fines. They include offenses such as murder, child abuse, aggravated use of a weapon, criminal sexual conduct, identity theft and home invasion.

Individuals can make a report using a secure online form on the University Human Resources website.

Once a felony is disclosed, University Human Resources will assess the information on a case-by-case basis using similar criteria as the current background screening process. This includes the nature and gravity of the offense, the timeliness and accuracy of the disclosure, and the relevancy to the person’s role at the university.

This policy applies to faculty and staff on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses and in Michigan Medicine, but does not currently apply to those covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

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