Policy: In keeping with our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational opportunity and access, Millersville University prohibits University-wide applications for admission from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history.
Post-Admission Inquiry
After offering admission to a student, Millersville University shall inquire about prior felony and misdemeanor convictions if the student:
- Seeks housing that is owned and/or operated by Millersville University, or
- Seeks to participate in clinical or field experiences, internships, or study abroad programs.
A “conviction” is an adjudication of guilt and includes pleas of nolo contendere (no contest). The University shall disregard minor traffic violations, summaries, offenses committed before an applicant’s 18th birthday which were adjudicated in juvenile court under a Youth Offender Law, and any charges which have been expunged by a court or for which the applicant successfully completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program.
Students who have previously been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Although individuals convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be eligible for admission into related academic majors/programs, some state professional standards and licensure requirements may bar the issuing of a license. Students who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor are strongly encouraged to contact their academic advisor for clarity. Millersville University will provide early and proactive advising about those majors that require criminal background clearance for licensure so that prospective students understand, and can make an informed decision regarding, what degree path they wish to pursue. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the dean's office of their intended academic program.
Housing Policy for Discipline and Justice Involved students.
Millersville University strives to provide a safe campus and learning environment. As a part of that effort, when Housing and Residential Programs receives an application for housing1 from an individual who has been convicted of certain criminal offenses and/or received a disciplinary sanction from an institution of higher education, the application will be forwarded to the Discipline/Justice Review Committee.
A conviction or disciplinary action does not, in and of itself, disqualify an applicant from residential housing. The Discipline/ Justice Review Committee’s task is to evaluate the nature and extent of the applicant’s potential threat to campus safety and the University’s learning environment based on considerations of the nature and age of the offense, its severity and the relation of offense or disciplinary action to campus housing.
The Discipline/ Justice Review Committee’s will review the completed documentation and determine if the applicant is eligible for residential housing. As part of this process, the University may request additional documentation from the applicant and may, where appropriate, request that the applicant appear for an interview with the Discipline/ Justice Review Committee. The Discipline/ Justice Review Committee’s decision is final.
If the relevant requested documentation is not received from the applicant, the application will remain incomplete. Should the requested documentation not be received within 2 weeks of the document request date, Housing and Residential Programs has the option to cancel the application as incomplete.
If an applicant answers no to the criminal background or the disciplinary history application question(s) and it is later found the applicant did not truthfully respond to the questionnaire or provide complete and truthful information, the University has the right to rescind the offer of residential housing or take disciplinary action that may include removal from housing and/or dismissal from the University.
This policy has been established to provide consistent and equitable decisions regarding access to residential housing for those individuals with prior involvement with justice or student conduct actions.
Definitions:
- Criminal Conduct refers to a felony or misdemeanor conviction.A conviction is an adjudication of guilt, including pleas of nolo contendere (no contest). For purposes of this definition, convictions for traffic citations, summary offenses, or which have been expunged or sealed are not considered. This term also specifically excludes an adjudication of delinquency for a criminal offense.
- Disciplinary Action refers to a disciplinary sanction of removal from housing, suspension, expulsion or other form of dismissal from an institution of higher education for behavioral misconduct. For purposes of this definition, interim measures (e.g., Interim Suspensions, interim housing removal, etc.) are not considered. Pending initiation of student conduct charges is not considered unless the student withdraws or has withdrawn prior to disposition of the charges.