Application Review Process

Step 1: Collection of Data

1. Students who indicate “yes” to the question on the application for admission regarding conviction or pending misdemeanor or felony charges or expulsion from an educational institution for nonacademic misconduct reasons are required to provide additional information before an admissions decision can be made.

• Questions are as follows:
  • Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, or do you currently have misdemeanor or felony charges pending against you?
    
    The University does not ask for routine traffic offenses or juvenile offenses. Some criminal convictions may be sealed or expunged through the legal process. MUW is not prohibited from considering this fact for admission while reviewing the totality of the circumstances surrounding each offense that the applicant discloses.
    
    
  • Have you ever been dismissed from a secondary or post-secondary institution of higher learning for disciplinary reasons?

2. This information triggers a flag on admission application and will be sent directly to Director of Admissions.

3. Applicants then receive correspondence from the University Admissions Office requesting required documentation be provided to the Director of Admissions. The following types of information, among other, may be requested in the communication with the applicant:

1. Date of the offense(s).
2. Nature of the offense(s).
3. Previous offenses.
4. Was the felony a crime against a person or property?
5. Has the applicant been incarcerated?
6. Current status of parole, probation and/or release of the applicant.
7. Information regarding the applicant since the date of the last conviction or dismissal, in particular the applicant’s rehabilitation and/or treatment efforts.

4.The information will be forwarded to the review committee for a recommendation regarding the admission and any conditions that might be placed on the admission of the applicant. The Director of Admissions makes the final determination as to whether or not to make an offer of admission.

Step 2: Review Process

The review committee will be composed of the Dean of Students and three members of the Behavioral Intervention Team (from the University Police Department, Housing and Residence Life, and Counseling Services). Prior involvement or knowledge of an applicant would require a committee to recuse him/herself. Committee members will review the provided documentation regarding an applicant’s misdemeanor or felony or disciplinary background and may contact a former institution and/or a law enforcement agency to gain additional information relevant to the applicant’s criminal and disciplinary history. In rare circumstances, the committee may request additional information from the student.

During the review process, the committee will:

1. Identify the material facts of each case;
2. Identify particular interests of the University, and
3. Weigh those material facts against those interests

Such material facts may include, but may not be limited to:

1. The date(s) of the reported offense(s):
• How recent was the conduct committed to the time of application?
• For multiple offenses, how far apart were they committed?
• How old was the applicant at the time of the offense(s)?
• Are there persistent patterns of criminal conduct or misconduct?
2. The nature of the conduct at issue with the offense(s):
• Was the offense(s) against a person or property?
• Was the conduct violent or passive?
• Was the conduct intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent?
3. The severity of the harm caused by the conduct of the offense(s):
• Was the harm serious or minor?
• Was the harm permanent or temporary?
4. Efforts that address rehabilitation for the offense(s):
• Has the applicant assumed responsibility?
• Did the applicant acknowledge (plea) or contest (trial/appeals) responsibility?
• Has the applicant exhibited evidence of rehabilitation or good conduct?
5. Punishments imposed and served:
• What punishments have been imposed?
• Has the punishment been satisfactorily completed?
• What is the applicant’s current status regarding punishment (i.e., on bail, probation, or parole)?
6. The accuracy of information provided by the applicants:
• Are there known inconsistencies/inaccuracies in the information provided by applicant?
• Did the applicant voluntarily disclose information?
7. Does the applicant currently pose a threat to the campus community?
8. Are there ways to lower any risks to an acceptable level?

The committee’s recommendation to not admit based upon an applicant’s misdemeanor or felony or conduct history should be reasonable, rationally related to University’s interests, and consistent with the standards of professional judgment. This decision should not be arbitrary, unlawfully discriminatory, unreasonable, or capricious. No offer of admission should be made to an applicant who discloses a personal criminal or conduct history before this review has been performed.

The University does not ask for routine traffic offenses or juvenile offenses. Mere arrest information must not be considered by the committee. Some criminal convictions may be sealed or expunged through the legal process. MUW is not prohibited from considering this fact for admission while reviewing the totality of the circumstances surrounding each offense that the applicant discloses. The committee should not consider any offense for which an applicant has received an executive pardon. In addition, applicants may be reporting information from multiple jurisdictions and jurisdictions outside of Mississippi.

Given today’s mobile and global society, it may not be possible to obtain complete criminal background information.

Step 3: Appeal Process

Applicants who are denied admission based upon a previous criminal or conduct background can appeal the decision to the Vice President for Student Affairs, or his or her designee, for reconsideration. Applicants who are denied admission will be informed that they can appeal the decision in writing within 10 business days of the date of the admissions denial letter. If such a written request is filed within the given time period, available information on the question of admission status shall be provided to the Vice President for Student Affairs, or his or her designee for review. The applicant will be notified within 14 business days of receipt of the appeal of the decision. This decision is final.

Document and Data Retention

1. Files will be kept centrally in a secure location within the Dean of Students office.
2. Upon the beginning of each term, the files of students who have completed the review process and enrolled will be shared with the Behavioral Intervention Team.