Members of the University of North Alabama accept their obligation to provide for its students an atmosphere which protects and promotes an educational mission and which guarantees an orderly and effective operation. To protect the educational process and to provide for the safety of members of the University community and the institution’s property, the University has the responsibility to set and maintain standards of conduct for members of that community and for those seeking admission into that community. Therefore, a pre-admission review is required when known facts suggest that an applicant’s behavior may, as a student, endanger the health and safety of University community members, jeopardize property of the University or its members and visitors, or adversely affect the educational mission of the University.

If the University learns that an applicant for admission or re-enrollment has been involved in prior misconduct, incarcerated, or has been involved in other illegal activities the University reserves the rights to determine the acceptability of the applicant or enrollee as a student.  Such identified applicants are subject to review procedures administered by the appropriate office, such as Student Conduct, Office of Admissions, or University Health Services.

The review procedures may be used in considering requests for non-degree, condition, degree admission, re-enrollment, and changes from non-degree to degree status.  The following guidelines apply to the circumstances identified:

1. The applicants for admission and re-enrollment will not be considered for enrollment on University campuses or property while incarcerated in any federal, state, county or city prison, or jail, including youth detention centers.
2. Applicants on parole, probation or any type of intermediate punishment or house arrest program are subject to review procedures prior to consideration for admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment.
3. Applicants with past disciplinary history or any type of disciplinary sanctions are subject to review procedures prior to consideration for admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment.
4. Incarcerated individuals enrolled in University programs or courses conducted off-campus or off University property are subject to review procedures prior to consideration for a change from non-degree/provisional status to degree status.
5. Applicants with known emotional and/or psychological problems who have engaged in violations of the law or past misconduct related to a prior University’s rules or policies that was disruptive or threatening to the functioning and well-being of self or others are subject to review procedures prior to an admission, continued enrollment, or re-admission final decision.
   1. No inquiries shall be made regarding an applicant’s background prior to the submission of an application.
   2. When an application for admission is submitted, no pre-admission background inquiries shall be made regarding an applicant.  However, if the University has a specific factual basis regarding an individual which indicates the applicant may pose a substantial risk of harm or disruption to the University community, then exclusion may be warranted.

To be considered for admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment, consistent with these guidelines, the following review procedures will be required of those described by Circumstances 1, 2, 3, and 4.

1.    Release of information from previous educational institutions attended, parole officers, prison officials, psychiatrists, psychiatric social workers, pre-college or college administrators, and other professionals will be requested when the information has a direct bearing on the applicant’s behavior and suitability for enrollment at the University.

2.    Personal meeting with the Director of Student Conduct, the Vice President of Student Affairs, or his/her designee to address the following:
       a.  In detail, the nature of the individual’s activities since incarceration, commitment, treatment, or applied sanctions.
       b.  The reasons why the applicant feels he/she should be admitted or re-enrolled to the University.
       c.   The reasons why the individual believes he/she would be able to abide by the rules and regulations of the University if permitted to enroll, and;

3.    Depending upon the nature of the facts with respect to the applicant’s history, special requirements may be stipulated such as, but not limited to, a personal review, a psychiatric or psychological evaluation by University counseling staff, or a comprehensive diagnostic/treatment report from a duly recognized mental health practitioner of the University’s choice.