U. of Akron Rescinds DNA Requirement in Policy on Criminal-Background Checks

The University of Akron’s Board of Trustees voted today to revise a policy that said new hires may be asked to submit DNA samples or fingerprints for federal criminal-background checks, at the university’s discretion. References to DNA testing have been stripped from the policy, which drew unwanted national attention and an almost immediate pledge to rethink the idea. The policy now has language that lets new hires know that law-enforcement agencies may require them to provide “additional information” for background checks. The revised policy is effective immediately, said a university spokeswoman, Laura M. Massie.