Affirmative Disclosures of Prior Criminal and Disciplinary History
Policy Statement
As a part of UNH’s mission of distinction in education, scholarship, and service, the University strives to provide a safe living, learning and working community for all its members. As part of a holistic review of applicants when deciding whether to offer admission, prospective incoming new students are required to disclose prior or pending criminal history. Incoming transfer and graduate students are required to disclose prior non-academic disciplinary history at previous higher education institutions as well as criminal history.
Having a prior criminal or disciplinary history is not an automatic disqualification from admission. UNH affirms its commitment to addressing inequities for prospective students who have historically faced barriers to accessing higher education. This review process determines the mutual compatibility of the applicant and the University.
Per National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) policy, the University is responsible for exercising due diligence in identifying and addressing serious or sexual misconduct issues; therefore, all prospective first year and incoming transfer student-athletes disciplined through a Title IX or sexual misconduct proceeding or criminally convicted, regardless of the degree, and whether the result of a plea or court determination, are required to disclose this information.
Disclosure may include some or all of the following:
- Sexual Violence (a term used to include both forcible and nonforcible sex offenses, ranging from sexual battery, sexual assault to rape).
- Interpersonal Violence (predominantly caused due to the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, including dating and domestic violence).
- Other Acts of Violence (crimes including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, or any assault that employs the use of a deadly weapon or causes serious bodily injury).
Affirmative Responses to Application Questions
If an applicant responds "yes" and discloses prior criminal or disciplinary history, the admissions unit will request that the applicant provide a factual explanation regarding the underlying incident(s) for both criminal and disciplinary history and any relevant documentation.
This may include:
- A summary statement of the applicant’s reportable disciplinary history or redacted education records detailing factual findings from a previously attended educational institution.
- Law enforcement report(s) or court record reflecting the conviction (for criminal history), and any other information the applicant would like considered.
Pre-Admission Review and Determination
Prior to any consideration of criminal or disciplinary history, the application will be reviewed by the applicable admissions unit to determine if the applicant is eligible for admission. After the admissions unit determines that an applicant is eligible, the application will proceed to the review process as described below.
The applicant is under a continuing obligation with respect to these questions. If any answer changes post-admission but prior to matriculation, the admitted student must inform the Office of Admissions without delay.
In the event that a conviction is rendered following an applicant’s acceptance but prior to matriculation, the matter may be subject to review by the Admission and Reentry Committee. Upon review, the Committee reserves the authority to uphold the original offer of admission, modify the offer by imposing conditions or restrictions, or rescind the offer in its entirety.
Admission and Reentry Review Committee
The Admission and Reentry Review Committee is charged with reviewing disclosures of prior disciplinary and criminal history of prospective new incoming and transfer students, and any disclosure of criminal history for students seeking to be reinstated after a temporary separation. Membership is comprised of qualified representatives from various offices across the University who will perform a holistic, individualized review based on a multifactor analysis to fairly determine whether an applicant’s past or pending disciplinary or criminal history justifies an offer or denial of admission or reinstatement.