Regents pass weapons, background check policies
Measures won't mean immediate changes at KU
The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved two draft policy statements regarding weapons on campus and background checks for job seekers that will take effect later this year. Neither will result in immediate changes at KU.
The board adopted the statements at its April 18 meeting. The first states the six state university campuses will be weapon-free.
The second instructs the six state universities conduct criminal background checks on all newly hired employees.
The first will not require changes at KU, as the university has had a policy prohibiting weapons since 1999. State legislation allowing the concealed carry of firearms did not change the policy. Weapons, including all kinds of firearms, knives, explosives and pepper spray and mace, are prohibited.
The policy concerning background checks of newly hired employees could potentially change hiring methods at KU, but employees who handle hiring will not have to immediately change their practices.
Julene Miller, attorney for the regents, said the policy is still in a draft stage. She said she hopes to present language to the board by May or June.
"It's still in the discussion stage," Miller said of the policy. "There are no specific requirements at this point."
Ola Faucher, director of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity, said the Lawrence campus does not perform criminal background checks of new hires but that several steps are in place to screen potential employees. KU has a formal policy requiring checks for drug convictions for applicants or individuals who would potentially work in or have access to labs that are registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Applicants for university support staff, unclassified staff and student hourly positions fill out electronic applications that include a section in which applicants are asked to voluntarily disclose criminal history. KU also checks names of applicants to see if they appear on the Kansas sexual offender list. If applicants are found to have knowingly provided misinformation on the application and are hired, they can be subject to termination, Faucher said.
Faucher said KU will reevaluate its weapons policy in the context of the regents' new policy statement and will investigate alternative methods of conducting background checks, such as hiring an outside firm to perform background checks on applicants who are offered a position. The KU Medical Center currently uses a state-approved vendor to perform background checks on applicants who are offered a position.
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