University Events and Venues: Criminal Background Check Requirements Policy

Last updated: 2/1/2016 (see bottom for details)

I. Purpose

The University strives to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors in support of its educational mission. In support of that goal, this document sets forth criminal background check requirements for all University volunteers and event workers at specified University events and venues as identified herein.

II. Applicability1

These requirements apply to all University volunteers and event workers2 at the following venues for
University events:

  • Spartan Stadium
  • Jack Breslin Student Events Center
  • Munn Ice Arena
  • Pavilion for Agriculture & Livestock Education
  • Jenison Fieldhouse
  • Old College Field
  • Wharton Center for Performing Arts (effective August 1, 2015)
  • Auditorium (effective August 1, 2015)

These requirements also apply to all University volunteers and event workers at the following University venues regularly open to the public for recreational or entertainment purposes:

  • Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
  • MSU Museum
  • Planetarium

The requirements of this policy do not apply to private events at the above-listed University venues.

This policy is intended to clarify requirements for event workers and volunteers at specified events and venues. It does not replace any requirement under other University background check polices.

III. Criminal Background Check Requirements

A.  All individuals who serve as volunteers or event workers at University venues or events identified in Section II must have been subject to an annual criminal background check.3

The background checks for Spartan Stadium, Jack Breslin Student Events Center, Munn Ice Arena, Jenison Fieldhouse, Old College Field, and the Pavilion for Agriculture & Livestock Education shall be conducted through the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services.

The background checks for the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Auditorium, Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, MSU Museum, and Planetarium shall be conducted through the Human Resources Department.

B.  The following tools shall be used to conduct criminal background checks for volunteers and event workers:

  • Michigan State Police: Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)
  • Michigan Department of Corrections: Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS)
  • U.S. Department of Justice: National Sex Offender Public Web Site (NSOPW)

C.  The following types of convictions will normally render an individual ineligible for service as a volunteer or event worker on campus:

  1. Drug distribution activity or felony drug possession
  2. Sexual offenses
  3. Crimes of violence involving physical injury to another person
  4. Child abuse, molestation or other crimes involving child endangerment
  5. Murder
  6. Kidnapping
  7. Theft or embezzlement
  8. Any other felony or crime involving moral turpitude

D.  The assessment of an individual’s criminal history will take into account:

  1. The nature and gravity of any criminal offense(s);
  2. The individual’s age at the time of the offense(s);
  3. The number and type of offense (felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, etc.);
  4. The sentence or sanction for the offense and compliance with the sanction(s);
  5. The amount of time that has passed since the offense and/or completion of the sentence(s);
  6. Whether there is a pattern of offenses;
  7. Whether the offense arose in connection with the individual’s prior employment or volunteer activities;
  8. Information supplied by the individual about the offense(s);
  9. Work record and references after the offense(s);
  10. Subsequent criminal activity; and
  11. Truthfulness of the individual in disclosing the offense(s).

Individuals who do not have satisfactory criminal background check results will be provided with an opportunity to explain the results and give clarifying information to the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services or the Human Resources Department before a final decision regarding eligibility is made.

IV. History

This document was issued by the Office of the President on December 8, 2014 and revised on February 1, 2016.

Footnotes:

1 Nothing in this Policy precludes a campus venue from implementing more stringent criminal background check requirements for volunteers or event workers. Implementation of such additional criminal background check requirements must be approved in advance by the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources.

2 For the purpose of this policy, an “event worker” is an individual hired to work at a MSU event (e.g., event security, football parking). Current employees are subject to criminal background checks pursuant to this document where service as a volunteer or event worker is separate and distinct from the employee’s regularly assigned duties.

3 Volunteers and event workers at MSU Extension (including 4H) events are not subject to this Policy to the extent that such individuals have gone through the MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process. Individuals who do not have satisfactory criminal background check results will be provided with an opportunity to explain the results and give clarifying information to the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services or the Human Resources Department before a final decision regarding eligibility is made.

Revision History:

2/1/16 - Added footnote 3.