College of William and Mary reviews background check policy

Small businesses aren't the only entities that use background checks to vet applicants' qualifications and trustworthiness. Some colleges and universities are also using the strategy. In 2011, the College of William and Mary began background screenings of potential employees, especially within the athletics program, according to the school's student paper, The Flat Hat. Currently, the college's Board of Visitors' Committee on Audit and Compliance is reviewing campus compliance with the policy. Much of the focus has been on the athletics department and how it can work to implement policies and procedures regarding the protection of students. "We're going to expand that list [of people who need background checks] to include positions with extensive interaction with minors," Kiersten Boyce, University Compliance and Policy Officer, told the newspaper. The College of William and Mary isn't the only institute of higher education employing background checks. Many education facilities across the country are using Social Security reports, criminal histories and degree validation to ensure applicants are sound.