The temporary policy for conducting background checks on all finalists for employment, current employees seeking promotions and student employees who work in sensitive areas has been extended to Sept. 30, 2008. The policy was approved in February by the President’s Cabinet and had originally been set to be replaced with permanent rules by June 30 (see http://www.mscd.edu/%7Ecollcom/artman/publish/background_twv5020608.shtml).

The policy extension gives the Ad Hoc Committee on Background Checks, which has been meeting since May, time to fulfill its charge of reviewing current policies and practices and making recommendations to assure thoroughness and legality in background checks (see http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/artman/publish/background_twv5062508.shtml).

The committee’s recommendations will be reviewed by the president and cabinet before submittal to the Board of Trustees for final approval.