University of Illinois Faculty Upset Over Background Checks

Faculty members at the University of Illinois campus in Champaign-Urbana aren't happy with a policy instituting background checks that starts early next month. The Senate of the Urbana-Champaign Campus, a group of about 200 faculty members, will vote next week on a resolution that would delay that start date. The resolution says the policy doesn't meet American Association of University Professors standards and isn't mentioned in all job postings. The board of trustees approved the policy last week. It says all prospective faculty and many other University of Illinois job applicants will have to go through background checks. Right now only applicants for jobs in high-security positions require checks. Interim Provost Ed Feser says he's working to balance liability with being fair to job candidates.