Justice-Involved Individuals

Justice-Involved Individuals

The University of Alaska serves the North and its diverse peoples, accepting all students, including individuals who have prior involvement with the criminal justice system. According to the U.S. Department of Education, research has shown that education can help to re-integrate justice-involved individuals back into society, which benefits not only those individuals but also the community as a whole (2016).

Admissions

The University of Alaska is an open enrollment institution and does not ask prospective students about their criminal justice involvement during the admissions process. However, criminal convictions may serve as a barrier from individuals being able to participate in certain academic programs. Barrier crimes could impact a student’s ability to graduate from or become employed after graduating from the following types of academic programs which include but are not limited to: 

  • justice, corrections, paralegal studies, or legal studies;

  • fire and emergency services technology or paramedical technology;

  • outdoor leadership; 

  • child welfare, human services, or social work;

  • speech-language pathology; 

  • education; 

  • dietetics and nutrition; and 

  • nursing and other health or medical professions, among others.

Justice-involved individuals wanting to pursue careers in these areas should ask their academic advisor if their criminal history would impact their ability to participate in clinical hours or practicums required in their programs or be a barrier to employment after graduation. Justice-involved individuals can reach out to state or local licensing boards to see if there are waivers or certificates of relief or rehabilitation that would make them eligible to obtain a license in their chosen field.

For questions related to admissions, contact the Admissions Office at UAA, UAF, or UAS.

On Campus Housing

While the University of Alaska is committed to being open to all students, the University may deny housing to a student on the basis of past or present behavior if such behavior might threaten university property or the health and safety of the residents. Thus, justice-involved individuals will be asked to provide information about their criminal history on applications to live on campus. The University will review the applications to determine their suitability to live on campus.

For questions related to on campus housing, contact Residence Life at the Anchorage, Bethel, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Prince William Sound campuses.

Employment

The University of Alaska asks several questions about applicants’ criminal history on employment applications. If an applicant is a finalist or is extended an offer of employment, UA Human Resources reviews the background check to ensure the findings align with the applicants’ previous disclosures on record. The existence of prior convictions or pending charges does not automatically disqualify applicants from employment with the University. However, the University does have a responsibility to evaluate the relationship between applicants’ legal history and their potential employment duties within the University community. For example, a recent conviction for theft might be a barrier for someone applying for a position that involves handling cash.

For questions related to employment, contact UA Human Resources.

Restrictions and Requirements

While many justice-involved individuals do not have any restrictions, those that do have a duty to comply with the conditions or requirements imposed by the court or a probation or parole officer.

Campus Safety and Reporting

The University provides extensive information about campus safety and security in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for UAA, UAF, and UAS. Everyone at the University of Alaska has a duty to help create a safe learning, living, and working environment:

  • Anyone who observes criminal behavior is encouraged to report it to University police or local law enforcement.  

  • Individuals observing student misconduct should report the behavior to the UAA Dean of Students Office, UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability, or UAS Dean of Students Office. 

  • Community members who observe unusual student behavior or are concerned for a student’s well being may report this to the Care Teams at UAA, UAF, or UAS.  

  • Individuals observing employee misconduct should report the behavior to UA Human Resources. 

  • Sexual or gender-based misconduct should be reported to a University Title IX Coordinator at UAA, UAF, and UAS. 

  • Anyone may use the UA Confidential Hotline, which allows the reporting party to remain anonymous, to submit reports of suspected waste, fraud, abuse, violations of policies, and other high-risk violations.

Sex Offender Registration Requirements

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act requires sex offenders, who are already required to register with the state, to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in the state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, volunteers services or is a student. In Alaska, convicted sex offenders must register with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). This information, which appears on the DPS website, is accessible at https://dps.alaska.gov/sorweb/. 

References

United States Department of Education. (2016). Beyond the Box: Increasing Access to Higher Education for Justice-Involved Individuals.