Syracuse University Provost Michele Wheatly announced that new faculty members will be required to undergo criminal background checks starting January 1, 2020. Few details were revealed about what the background checks will involve, such as cost and timeframe, which has become a cause for concern among faculty members. The checks will, however, involve a review of criminal activity in the previous seven years. According to Wheatly, the checks also will include a verification of the individual’s education and credentials. Professor of magazine, news and digital journalism Jodi Upton, who also is a University Senate member, said she and others are concerned about what types of crimes are being searched for.
