3 NYS Colleges Agree To Drop Crime Arrest Question From Applications

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Following concerns of unintended discrimination, three New York colleges have agreed to not ask applicants about arrests that haven't led to a conviction.

St. John's University, Five Towns College and Dowling College reached the agreement with the state attorney general's office.

The colleges will still ask applicants if they've been convicted of a felony -- a question that appears on the common application used by over 500 colleges and universities.

The move comes after the Center for Community Alternatives had voiced concerns the question amounted to a form of unintended discrimination, the New York Times reported.

According to the agreement, an applicant's criminal history may only be used as a disqualifier only if the conviction indicates the applicant poses a threat to public safety or property or if the conviction was relevant to some aspect of the academic program.

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