Student Application Review Board

Student Application Review Board 

Student applicants who have indicated on their admissions application they have been charged or convicted of one or more felony crimes will be directed to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution, which facilitates the Student Applicant Review Board process. Additionally, student applicants who have indicated on their UCO admissions application they have been suspended, expelled or placed on probation at a post-secondary college or university, will be directed to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution as well. 

Accidental Indication: Students who have been suspended, expelled, etc. at another college or university 
If you believe you have made an honest mistake by indicating you were charged or convicted of a felony crime, go to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution

Student applicants who have been suspended, expelled or placed on probation at a post-secondary college or university

1. Transcript(s) from previously attended and/or current colleges/universities attended.
2. Two letters of recommendation attesting to the behavioral and social ability to function in a university setting. Each letter must have the contact information for the references, the relationship between the reference and the student applicant, and the reference’s signature. Refrain from using family members and personal friends as references. 
3. Provide additional information using appropriate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Provide information to the following criteria: Describe, in detail, the incidents with date, type of crime, circumstances, location, and current status. What did you take from this experience? What changes have you made in your life? Provide information as to why you would like to be a student at UCO and in what field do you wish to study. Describe how you can positively contribute to the UCO community. Describe your plan to prevent your behavior from becoming a risk and or disruption to the UCO campus.

Student applicants who have been charged or convicted of a felony crime

Student applicants will be subjected to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 process based on the number of felony charges and/or convictions and date of most recent felony charge. The applicant cannot have any felony arrests in the past 12 months (no guilty verdict, no guilty plea, or nolo contendre). The applicant also cannot have any pending charges. The applicant cannot have been incarcerated for any period of time within the past 12 months. The applicant must be complying with the 14 conditions of their parole or suspended sentence. If an individual is on parole, they must sign two documents. The first is a release allowing their parole officer to communicate with the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution. The second release allows for the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution to communicate with the parole officer.

The following documents will also have to be supplied:

1. Transcript(s) from previous and/or current colleges/universities attended.
2. Court documents regarding your felony:

• Indictment information form or other document which charges you with the crime(s).
• Police Affidavit(s) of probable cause.
• Petition to enter plea of guilty/nolo contender or similar document if used
• Pre-sentencing report.
• Judgment and sentencing court forms.

3.  Two letters of recommendation attesting to the behavioral and social ability to function in a university setting from any of the following individuals:

• Psychological/Counseling Services Professional.
• Employer, education institution representative, religious organization, or any other person who can attest to your character. The letters will need the contact information for the reference, relationship between the reference and student applicant, and the reference's signature.
• Please refrain from using family members and personal friends as references.

4. Letter from your probation or parole officer indicating you will be in compliance with the terms of probation or parole if you will be on probation or parole. Have them provide their current contact information, phone number, physical address and email.

5. Provide additional information describing in detail, the incidents with date, type of crime, circumstances, location, and current status. What did you take from this experience? What changes have you made in your life? Provide information as to why you would like to be a student at UCO and in what field do you wish to study. Describe how you can positively contribute to the UCO community. Demonstrating your ability to be a successful student. Describe your plan to prevent your behavior from becoming a risk and or disruption to UCO campus. Discuss any counseling and/or treatment programs you have completed, if drugs, alcohol, or violent behavior was a factor.

Student applicants who have both been charged or convicted of a felony crime AND have been suspended, expelled or placed on probation at a post-secondary college or university.

The information required will be the procedures pertaining to felonies and the following:

1. Two letters of recommendation attesting to your behavior and social ability to function in a university setting from any of the following:

• Dean of students, Conduct Official, counselor, professor/instructor of post-secondary college or university where the offense occurred.
• Please refrain from using family members and personal friends as references. 

After all required information and background check fee have been submitted and accepted, student applicants will receive an email informing you of a date, time, and location in which you will meet with the Student Applicant Review Board for a brief interview.

It is highly recommended that you communicate with the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution to confirm all necessary information/documentation has been submitted and received. Student applicants who have been suspended, expelled, or placed on probation will be subjected to a Tier 1 process. To determine whether a Tier 1 or Tier 2 process is warranted for student applicants, the following will be considered:

Tier 1:If the student applicant indicates they have been charged or convicted of a felony crime and meets the following criteria, the director of Student Conduct shall review the student applicant’s information and make a decision regarding their enrollment eligibility.  The decision of the director of Student Conduct will be based upon the same criteria as if they have met with the Student Applicant Review Board (SARB). The criteria are as follows:

• Only one felony charge was dismissed.
• No felony charges or convictions within the past 10 years.
• No jail or prison time served within the past 10 years.
• No violence, including sexual violence felony crimes.
• No weaponry use in prior felony crimes.
• National Background Check and State Supplemental Background Check supports student applicants’ claims of above points.
• No indications of dishonesty on application or disclosure form.
• Director of Student Conduct meets with student applicant and consults with other key SARB members and university departments, as necessary, i.e. UCO Police.
• Director of Student Conduct makes decision within same allotted time frame as Tier 2 schedule and makes notes of review and rationale.
• Director of Student Conduct reserves the option to refer to Tier 2 process based upon interview or discovery of dishonesty during process or interview.
• If the student applicant is determined eligible to enroll, probationary status applied.

Tier 2: If one or more of the following is applicable, the student applicant has to interview with the Student Applicant Review Board, per the published schedule. 

• Student applicant HAS a felony charge or conviction within the past 10 years or did not meet the criteria for the Tier 1 process.
• One or more of the felony charges or convictions involved violence, including sexual violence.
• Weaponry use was involved in one or more of the prior felony crimes.
• National Background Check and State Supplemental Background Check reveals contradictions to the student applicant’s disclosures.
• The Director of Student Conduct refers student applicants after a review through the Tier 1 process

Outcomes

1. Student applicant may be deemed eligible to enroll at UCO.
2. Student applicant may be deemed eligible on a probationary status (such as limited hours or housing restrictions).
3. Student applicant may be deemed ineligible to enroll at UCO.

If determined ineligible for enrollment
Student applicants who have been determined ineligible to enroll at the University of Central Oklahoma must wait six months before requesting another meeting with the Student Applicant Review Board. In doing so, they must also confer with the director of Student Conduct to address their initial reasons for ineligibility.

• Applying for Undergraduate Admissions 
  A determination of your academic admissibility will be made based upon UCO’s academic requirements, but your eligibility to enroll in courses will be based upon the outcome of the Student Applicant Review Board process.

• Applying to the Jackson College of Graduate Studies
  Your application will be forwarded to the Graduate College for processing if/when you are deemed eligible for enrollment in courses by the Student Applicant Review Board. Student applicants will be sent an email from SAEE@uco.edu with information about the disclosure process and a link to the Student Applicant Review Board website. The Student Application Disclosure Form is where student applicants will need to upload documents and provide information related to previous suspension(s), expulsion(s), or a probation status and/or felony charge(s) and/or conviction(s). Along with uploading the specified information, student applicants will be required to pay a $35.00 background check fee. Student applicants will have the option to make their background check fee payment online or in person, at the University Bursar, located on the first floor of the Nigh University Center. A credit card or debit card will be needed to make this transaction.