-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Answers
Date: 	Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:14:32 -0400
From: 	Massie,Laura M <massie1@uakron.edu>
To: 	'declan@cbsnews.com' <declan@cbsnews.com>

Hi Declan,

My apologies for getting these to you so late.


Answers to your questions:


Q. What prompted this policy?

A. The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe
environment for all of its students and employees. DNA testing was
included in the policy because there have been national discussions
that indicate that in the future, reliance on fingerprinting will
diminish and DNA for criminal identification will be the more
prominent technology.  By including it in the policy we have the
flexibility to match the technology if the Ohio State Highway Patrol
makes changes to its system.  In addition, the University of Akron
staffs a police department with sworn officers and throughout law
enforcement possibilities are being discussed to use such technology
to do background checks on applicants for police positions.  Should
those changes to national practice occur we would be allowed the
flexibility to adopt the new technology if we found it necessary.


Q. How many job applicants have been DNA tested so far?

A. None.


Q. What kind of DNA test is it? (Blood or cheek swab?)

A. If and when UA decides to conduct a DNA test it will be decided at
that time.

Q. Is it run against the FBI's CODIS database?

A. If and when UA decides to conduct a DNA test it will be decided at
that time.

Q. When was the policy announced?

A. The University of Akron Board of Trustees approved the policy at
its Aug. 5, 2009 meeting; it went into effect Aug. 12, 2009;
communicated to campus Oct. 20, 2009. Minutes of each Board of
Trustees meeting also are posted on the UA web site within days of
each meeting.


Q. What happens to the physical blood/cheek samples? Are they
destroyed or returned?

A. If and when UA decides to conduct a DNA test it will be decided at
that time.

Q. Has your university attorney reviewed GINA and has the university
concluded that its policy complies with GINA?

A. The university attorney is aware of GINA; it is his understanding
that GINA deals with gathering DNA for health insurance purposes. The
University of Akron is reserving the right to obtain DNA testing for
criminal background checks only.

I am still researching an answer on your ADA question.

Please give me a call if you need any clarifications.  330-972-6476.

Thanks, and all the best,

Laura