Effective beginning in the spring 2018 semester, no SUNY campuses may include a questions regarding criminal history on admissions applications. However, admitted students who are seeking campus housing; clinical, field experiences, or internships; and study abroad programs will be asked if they have been convicted of a felony as part of the application process for those programs/services.

State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits Purchase College admission applications from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history. After acceptance, the college shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the dean’s office of their intended academic program.

Students who indicate that they have been convicted of felonies will be reviewed by a standing review committee chaired by the assistant dean for student affairs or designee.  The assistant dean has been designated as the campus liaison with parole, probation, and correctional alternatives offices.

The student must provide the following to the committee chair for the review process:

• A copy of the unsuppressed criminal history record from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, or the equivalent document for jurisdictions outside of New York State
• If currently on parole or probation status, references from the NYS Department of Correctional Services Division of Parole or the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
• A personal interview with the campus committee, if the committee deems it necessary
• It is incumbent on the student to provide all information in a timely manner, as failure to do some may delay or preclude participation in the requested activity/program

 The campus committee will:

• Review the submitted information
• Conduct a personal interview if deemed necessary
• Evaluate all information
• Make a determination regarding whether the participation in the activity will be granted or denied
• If granted, make a determination of any conditions required for the participation
• Notify the student and the impacted office in writing of the committees determination
• The determination of the committee is final. However, students may submit a new request if circumstances change.