<p>So has there been a spate of crimes perpetrated by PhD’s at major schools,
that would have been prevented by background checks? Not that I’ve noticed,
but let’s not have that stop the multimillion dollar investment in faculty crime-wave prevention.</p>
<p>sis - perhaps when your kid is taught by a pedophile (one who was not caught with a background check) - you’ll feel differently. No this is not a HUGE problem. But background checks are not expensive. And they’re worth the investment - at least in my opinion. Even if it prevents only a few from getting through…<br>
With the nonsense going at at Penn, it’s just a matter of time.</p>
<p>Hear, hear.</p>
<p>“So has there been a spate of crimes perpetrated by PhD’s at major schools,
that would have been prevented by background checks?”</p>
<p>But there HAS been a spate of crimes committed by the students at major schools, some of which COULD have been prevented by background checks (as in, how many were binge drinking before they got there.)</p>
<p>Never happen, of course. (and that’s okay). But let’s put some things in perspective.</p>
<p>Don’t you think college students are a bit old for pedophiles? I would think that college students will be in more danger with non-deviants. Perhaps universities should hire more pedophiles so that teenage college studdents will be a lot safer. </p>
<p>I could think of a thousand reasons why universities should be more dilligent with faculty review. None of these include background check to screen out pedophiles. BTW, I am not a deviant.</p>
<p>padad - so you’re not a deviant but you obviously have a different reaction to pedophiles than I do. I know that there are a number of liberal professors who have argued that pedophile behavior is within the normal range. And many pedophiles view their behavior as perfectly normal. Not saying you do - just that there are some that form this opinion (ridiculous as it is).<br>
So, it’s OK to use our universities as a refuge for pedophiles? Keeps them away from the youngsters you say? OK, perhaps the DIRECT impact is less than it would be for a priest or nursery school teacher. But, IMO, these are very sick individuals and I would not want my sons and daughters to be influenced by them. Once you read the details of what they do…how can you be OK with putting them in a position of influence?<br>
Sticking to my guns here…background checks make sense.
Background checks for students? That’s a whole different argument. No time for this now…have to get back to work!</p>
<p>Well, if the goal is to actually protect students…</p>
<p>Save The (former) Children!!</p>
<p>“Pedophile” has been redefined to mostly mean activities and interests that are of no apparent danger to any person on a college campus.</p>
<p>Most people functional enough to get a university instructorship (highly competitive these days) are able to avoid compiling any criminal record. Background checks will mostly pick up the same misfits who wouldn’t make it through college and grad school anyway.</p>