"The incident obviously caused a great deal of concern statewide and was on everyone's radar screen," he said. "What really surprised many of us was the lack of a comprehensive system of background checks in place in North Dakota."
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said he doesn't view the background checks as an invasion of privacy because all of the criminal information the checks reveal is publicly available. The FBI simply gathers the information in a central database.
"What we're talking about are people's criminal convictions," Stenehjem said. "A person with enough resources and time would be able to go around the country and get these records. These are not personal details about anybody. If I'm living in a dormitory, I'd like to know if my RA (resident attendant) is a convicted sex offender or a burglar."
UND Provost Greg Weisenstein helped compose the list of academic programs at that school where students will undergo criminal background checks. He described the list as a delicate balance between addressing security concerns and not encroaching on the privacy of students.
"Optimally, we want that balance to be right," Weisenstein said. "Right now, we're gaining some experience with this on a national level, and with experience, we'll know better where that balance should rest."
Information from: Grand Forks Herald,
http://www.grandforksherald.com
- Associated Press
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