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Policies & Procedures Table of Contents

Admissions

Policy for Consideration of Criminal History - 1E4

Purpose

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is committed to being a welcoming and supportive institution of higher education that encourages access for all qualified students, including applicants who may have previous experience with the criminal justice system. The University also exercises due diligence to maintain safe environments for students, faculty, and staff. Accordingly, SIUE requires all prospective undergraduate and graduate students to provide complete and accurate information in response to questions regarding convictions, as well as any pending charges or indictments for criminal law violations.

Scope

This Policy Applies to Applicants for Admission and to Individuals Seeking Residence in SIUE Managed Housing Process.

Applicants for admission to SIUE and University Housing are required to provide complete and accurate responses to questions pertaining to the following:

  • Prior felony convictions, or felony charges or indictments pending at the time of submission of the admission application.
  • Individuals seeking access to University housing must also disclose prior misdemeanor convictions, or misdemeanor charges or indictments pending at the time of the submission of a housing application. In addition, any new felony convictions, or pending charges or indictments since University admission, at the time of submission of a housing application.

A previous conviction or current charges or indictments do not automatically bar an applicant from admission but does require further review.

Applicants who answer "yes" to any question pertaining to previous experience with the criminal justice system on the admission or housing application must submit the following supplemental information for all disclosed convictions or current charges or indictments:

  • A complete and accurate account of the circumstances surrounding the incident(s), including the location of the conviction or indictment.
  • Information regarding the resolution of the charges or convictions, and whether any sentence has been completed.
  • A statement describing whether the applicant has learned, grown, or developed since the resolution of their case(s) and, if so, provide examples of how.
  • Authorization for the University to conduct a criminal background check.
  • Any additional information that the applicant believes may be relevant to their experiences with the criminal justice system including but not limited to, treatment records, employment history, and references.

Application for Admissions to SIUE

Upon receipt of the supplemental information, Enrollment Management will forward the documents to the Criminal Justice Disclosure Review Committee. Committee membership includes representatives from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the SIUE Police Department, the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, University Housing, and the Office of General Counsel.

Application for University Housing at SIUE

Upon receipt of the supplemental information, University Housing will forward the documents to the Criminal Justice Disclosure Review Committee. Committee membership includes representatives from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the SIUE Police Department, the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, University Housing, and the Office of General Counsel.

Evaluation Process and Criteria

Applicant criminal history information is referred to the Criminal Justice Disclosure Review Committee for review and evaluation. Members of the Committee will share information received for review only as necessary to complete the evaluation process. The Committee will evaluate the following:

  • Whether the nature of any crime for which an individual is convicted or other behavior disclosed, together with other available information, suggests that the applicant will pose a threat to campus safety.
  • Whether the conduct is compatible with the applicant's intended program of study.
  • Whether admitting the applicant would create a risk of or adversely impacting the safety and security of the campus community.

If the Committee determines the applicant poses a risk of threat to campus safety, it shall recommend that the applicant may be admitted with specific conditions intended to minimize or eliminate that threat, or that admission and/or housing should be denied.

Factors Considered

The Committee will engage in an individualized assessment of the information provided, considering mitigating and aggravating circumstances as well as rehabilitative efforts. Factors considered will include:

  • The nature, severity, and circumstances of the conduct.
  • Any pattern of repeated behavior.
  • The level of compliance with the sentence or sanction and the successful completion thereof.
  • Any evidence of acceptance of responsibility and honesty.
  • The age of the applicant at the time of the offense.
  • The recency of the conduct.
  • The opportunity for and evidence of rehabilitation (e.g., work, treatment, education, or community service).
  • The compatibility of the applicant's record with any degree program in which enrollment is sought, including applicable licensing requirements.
  • The recommendations of the Committee considering housing applications will be made in consideration of factors unique to living in close community with other students. As such, Committee recommendations may differ when it comes to admissions and housing.

Discrepancies in Reported Information

If discrepancies exist between the information provided by the applicant and the criminal background check, the Committee must provide the applicant an opportunity either to demonstrate that the background check report was erroneous (e.g., wrong person) or to explain the discrepancy.

If the report is determined to be accurate and a discrepancy exists between in and the application or supporting materials submitted by the applicant, the presumption is that the admission and/or housing application will be denied if the applicant failed to accurately disclose relevant information. The burden is on the applicant to demonstrate that the omission or misstatement was the result of an honest mistake, that it was not intended to mislead, and that admission should be granted notwithstanding the failure to disclose.

Committee Recommendation and Notification

Following a review of the above factors, the Committee will make a determination by simple majority vote whether it recommends that the applicant for admission or housing continue in the application process based on the Committee's assessment as to the applicant posing a significant risk to the safety and security of the university community. The Committee's recommendation shall reflect the majority decision and may include any dissenting viewpoints expressed during deliberation.

  • The Committee shall submit its recommendation for University admission, including the outcome of the Committee's vote to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management.
  • The Committee shall submit its recommendation for University Housing, including the outcome of the Committee's vote to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Each recommendation shall be considered by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management (admissions) or Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (housing), and a decision made regarding the outcome. The applicant will be notified in writing to their email address of record regarding the decision by the Office of Admissions or University Housing. Possible outcomes include:

  • The applicant is approved to proceed in the admission and/or on-campus residency application process.
  • The applicant must comply with certain conditions (conditions will be enumerated in the notification).
  • Admission and/or housing application is denied.

Appeal

An applicant may appeal the Decision Maker's determination by submitting a written statement outlining the grounds for the appeal within five (5) calendar days of the delivery of the decision. Appeals must be directed as follows:

  • Appeals regarding admission decisions should be directed to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management (or designee), whose decision is final.
  • Appeals regarding University Housing decisions should be directed to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (or designee), whose decision is final.

In both cases, the reviewing Vice Chancellor will issue a written decision to the applicant.

Approved by Chancellor effective 7/24/26
This policy was issued on July 27, 2026.
Document Reference: 1E4
Origin: OC 7/24/26

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