The State University of New York Board of Trustees today voted to "ban the box" from its general application.
In years past, SUNY required student applicants to declare prior felony convictions.
Now, students will be asked to declare a prior felony conviction post-admission and only when they seek campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships, or study abroad programs.
This new policy follows a national "Ban the Box" movement as well as a SUNY Student Assembly resolution recommending that "criminal history screenings should only be implemented after a student has been admitted, and that they should never be used to revoke admission."
"Today's policy revision is a milestone achievement for SUNY, one that positions our university system as a leader in what has become a national movement to expand access and educational opportunity for individuals with a felony history," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "Thank you to the many students, faculty, and staff across SUNY whose critical feedback led to today's resolution."
