Anyone applying for security-sensitive jobs at SIUC is now subject to a pre-employment background investigation, even though some SIU Board of Trustees members argue the policy could create problems.

The trustees approved a resolution authorizing complete criminal background investigations prior to employing individuals to certain security-sensitive campus positions at Thursday’s board meeting.

According to the resolution, security-sensitive positions are ones involving the care and supervision of children, the safety of students, employees or the general public, regular access to controlled substances (except state licensed positions), and the control or expenditure of university funds.

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Donald Wilson, vice chancellor for financial affairs and board treasurer, said one of the reasons for the investigations is so SIU can comply with the laws of investigation provided by the Illinois Campus Security Act of 1994.

These new procedures are simply a wise management practice but are also mandated by the Illinois Campus Security Act, Wilson said.

The Illinois Campus Security Act requires each public institution of higher education to identify security-sensitive positions and make provisions for the completion of criminal background investigations prior to employing individuals in those positions.

Trustee John Brewster said he thinks the language of the resolution could cause problems for SIU and its relationship with the civil service department.

see BACKGROUND, page 5