Covered Positions - Candidates that are offered a regular or “serve at the pleasure of” Faculty, Academic Staff, Lecturers (temporary or regular), Unclassified Professional, University Support Staff, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, or other salaried student positions will be subject to a criminal background check. (Temporary appointments of six months or longer will also be subjected to a full criminal background check.) The University of Kansas works with a third-party vendor, HireRight, to solicit and collect all criminal background check documentation.
Employment Offer - Applicants who have accepted a verbal offer of employment, will receive an e-mail (to the e-mail address identified on the application form) from HireRight, alerting the candidate to complete an e-consent form to initiate the background check process. Applicants will be required to submit confidential information such as social security number, date of birth, etc. on the e-consent and confirm that all information provided is correct via electronic signature. All data provided and stored with HireRight is collected, stored, and maintained according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act on a secure, encrypted system. Failure to complete the e-consent form within a reasonable time period, gives the University the right to withdraw any contingent offer of employment or terminating any existing employment.
Social Security Number Discrepancy - In the event the provided social security number is not valid, the candidate will have three working days from the receipt of the notification sent by HR/EO to challenge the findings, and then seven days to resolve the matter with the Social Security Administration office. If the matter is not resolved within the identified timeframe, the applicant will become ineligible for the position.
Review Process - Any non-criminal records irrelevant to the criminal background check process will not be considered during the review. In the event a criminal record is identified, applicants will receive an electronic notification letter from HireRight on behalf of the University of Kansas and a copy of the report. Candidates will have three working days to respond to HR/EO to present additional information or contest the results presented.
A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate from University employment. However, the University will review a candidate’s identified criminal history on a case-by-case basis to determine if there is a substantial relationship between the position and the pending charge/conviction and whether the applicant should be given further consideration. Candidates may also be requested to meet with HR/EO for an interview if necessary.
If at the conclusion of the review it is determined that the candidate has not satisfactorily completed the background check, the candidate will be notified by an electronic notification letter from HireRight on behalf of the University of Kansas. At that time all contingent offers of employment will be revoked or existing employment will be immediately terminated. Candidates will be alerted at that time if they are eligible to apply for alternate positions or if the nature of the crime precludes them from submitting any future application.
Certain positions or circumstances that necessitate additional verifications due to federal or state law will also be subject to the adequate completion of such checks. Other positions such as those designated as Student Hourly will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a State of Kansas sexual offender check whereas any Student Hourly or Temporary position (regardless of duration) working with non-KU student minors are required to satisfactorily complete a national sexual offender check.
