System office adopts employee background-check policy

The Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees adopted a new employee background check policy during their January meeting in Lincoln.

Board Policy 5040 outlines new regulations concerning criminal background checks for current state college employees.

A memo issued on Jan. 24, by Chadron State College president Randy Rhine states that CSC will conduct criminal background checks on current employees once every five years in addition to the checks already conducted on new hires.

Background checks will begin this month on a random selection of current employees who do not have a background check on file that is less than five years old.

The new policy stems from requirements issued by the NSCS liability insurance provider.

The policy’s necessity was identified during the Board of Trustees meeting on June 25, 2013, according to Kristin Petersen, vice chancellor for employee relations.

The policy also designates background checks on temporary and student employees to include graduate assistants, housing and residence life staff, and athletic trainers and assistants.

International student employees who are in the U.S. for less than six months will not be subject to background checks, due to a lack of history being available.

Employees will receive a notice from the CSC Human Resources Department with a consent form to be returned prior to the background check taking place.

Employees will be able to request a copy of the completed background check. Questions and concerns about this policy should be referred to Shelly Dunbar,  director of human resources.