Purpose
Columbia College is committed to providing an atmosphere that encourages learning, the exchange of ideas and interacting with one another in a safe environment. The purpose of the policy is to outline the policy and procedure for implementing student criminal background checks.
Scope
This policy applies to all Columbia College students.
Policy
Columbia College reserves the right to require a student to provide to Columbia College a formal criminal background check prepared by an outside vendor approved by Columbia College. The criminal records report must be received by Columbia College personnel within twenty (20) days of the original request, unless a different deadline is stated in the request. Additionally, students who are charged with a crime after the admissions review process and while enrolled in Columbia College are required to report all charges and/or convictions to the Office of Student Conduct in writing within ten (10) days of the criminal charge and/or conviction.
Background Check Procedures
Columbia College will notify students in writing using their CougarMail email account that the College is requesting that a student provide to the College a criminal background check report.
- Should Columbia College not receive the report within twenty (20) days or other deadline, the student will be place don interim suspension from classes unless good cause for the delay is otherwise shown by the report deadline. The College reserves the right to extend for good cause the deadline for receipt of the report.
- Should Columbia College not receive the requested criminal background check report by the approved extension deadline, the student may face disciplinary action, including but not limited to, dismissal from Columbia College unless good cause is otherwise shown.
- Should a student fail to report a criminal charge or conviction within the deadline, the student may face disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension or dismissal.
- This policy is not intended in any way to restrict Columbia College's ability to suspend or dismiss a student as otherwise provided by Columbia College policy.
A student wishing to appeal the disciplinary action must submit a letter of appeal to the Dean for Student Affairs within three (3) business days of receipt of the decision. More information on student appeals can be found in the Student Behavioral Misconduct Policy and Procedures.