Member Submission: Son Denied College Admission Because of Registry Status
The following is the text of a letter from a mother, whose son (a person required to register as a sex offender) was prevented from pursuing his education, because of his status. It has been redacted to remove personal information, but the name of the school remains in case anyone wishes to contact the school or their legislators to encourage policy change.
I am writing to update you on the outcome of the hearing Chipola college conducted for my son upon his re-application for admission. To refresh your memory, my son applied, and was fully accepted to Chipola Community College for the Summer semester of 2018. He was completely honest on the screening questions of his application, allowed to register and pay for classes and then on the eve of his attendance was asked to come in to admissions to discuss his class attendance. It was then explained to him that he would be allowed to attend classes on the campus despite his legal issues. However, the college classes were highly dependent on the Canvas Learning System that required internet access that his circumstances at the time did not allow. His classes were therefore cancelled, although he was in the process of requesting internet access. It was explained to him that once he regained permission for internet use, he could simply re-register for his classes. That was not the case. In addition to dropping him from his classes, they completely expunged his admission record without notifying him.
Within a few weeks he was granted full access to use the internet and with excitement, signed on to the college website to re-register, as instructed, but was surprised to find there was no record of his admission! Deciding this was inadvertent and with anticipation to start classes, he submitted his application once again. A few weeks went by with no response, so he began to call the college to inquire about his admissions application. His inquiries to the college went unanswered.
Feeling a sense of urgency, he decided to go in person to the college to inquire about the upcoming registration deadline. He was surprised, met with resistance, and was presented with completely new requirements for attendance. He was informed he would have to first attend a hearing of college administrators and law enforcement personnel. Although disappointed and nervous, he decided this was something he would have to face. After all, those in attendance were educated and would review his unique circumstances. Being advocates of “Higher Education,” certainly they would be inclined to help any motivated and qualified individual advance their learning and gain those skills necessary to help them be productive, independent and successful members of society. Surely this is the purpose of higher education, to benefit society by lifting people from poverty and dependency to independence and success. Or so he thought.
I was unable to attend the hearing as I am also a student of FSU in Tallahassee, but he assured me he was confident and positive that things would work out. His confidence grew from the positive interactions he had previously had with admissions, innocently naive to the fact they had been deceitful and were giving him the “run-around” for weeks; time he could have used to apply to other educational institutions. I too did not fully appreciate the rejection he had received, but rationally thought a hearing with a group of educated individuals in social, educational, and criminal justice issues would easily understand and advocate the proven path to lower recidivism rates for ANY and ALL crimes, which is to offer the offender a way back, develop meaningful social and community ties, encourage education, support employment, housing and other necessities, and facilitate independence and self sufficiency. Weeks later I was stunned to see this would not be the case!
There are no words to express the deep hurt and disappointment I feel toward those so entrusted to be stewards for the betterment of our children, community and yes, to some extent the world, by educating, supporting and encouraging the minds of our youth, and who, I feel, have failed miserably in their responsibilities.
My son took with him many positive and glowing character references. Among those were letters on his behalf from Senator Don Gaetz, Lt Col Landfair (U.S. Air Force), Alex Urbelis, a prominent civilian attorney, and former attorney within the Office of General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Guy Hamilton Legal Fellow of the Sex Offense and Policy Resource Center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. In addition to many other letters of positive report, he openly shared his charges and exclusive details pertaining to his particular case. Details such as he did NOT intentionally commit the alleged offense, and that the charged offense was NOT violent in nature. It should have been noticed that he was completely honest and forthright with everyone during the entire process. He did not, and does not, pose a threat to anyone, and had adjudication of guilt withheld (which is NOT a given or usual in cases of Nolo Contendere with these types of charges).
In closing, I want to share a few thoughts on the outcome and emphasize that my son NEVER intentionally committed these acts or lied to anyone throughout the entire legal process, nor to Chipola for that matter! Apparently these are rare and exceptional traits as the office of admissions administrator(s) of the college deceived my son about how easily obtainable approval to attend classes would be after simply regaining internet privileges. I whole heartedly believe the decision for his rejection to the college had been made the minute the college lied to him about his re-registration process, further evidenced by expunging his admission records without notification and then refusing to return his calls.
In addition, expanding on their egregious deceptions to a naive young man striving to better himself, they quickly convened a hearing knowing they would never allow his admission to move forward and used it instead to intimidate, embarrass and humiliate a young man looking for redemption and amelioration to better his life. Isn’t this the very essence of why our society hates those marked as SO?? Being programmed with a belief that “they all” intimidate, dehumanize, deceive and use their position of power and trust over their victims; over the helpless for their own sick pleasures? And yet this institution of higher learning apparently cultivates and displays these very characteristics!!
I find it ironic and sickening that those poised as educational leaders, are actually the ones guilty of these very transgressions due to their bloated sense of self righteousness. With complete apathy and arrogance, they’ve devastated a sincere young man who trusted their leadership and word, looked forward with hope and anticipation for the future, and presented an appeal with bended knee, requesting an opportunity to become something different than the horrible and devastating label he has been given! Even worse, how do we expect anyone to ever do better, if we impede every possibility of them doing so? Surely my son’s potential is greater than a youthful foley at age fifteen where he never knew or intended to harm anyone!
To say I am saddened and angered by the inquest is an understatement! I have thought to appeal their decision based on letters from his probation officer and his court mandated counselor, affirming in their minds that he is NOT a danger to fellow students or society! But I no longer believe that the deep seated and dogmatic traditions displayed by Chipola College can be overcome by letters, extensive research, professional judgments or demonstrated facts. And what would it accomplish if I should fight and win? An organization so deeply flawed in its’ fundamentals would be full of excuses and constantly looking for ways to simply have him removed or otherwise obstruct his record as a matter of defensive pride and haughtiness. And therein itself lies the bigger problem, an institution engrained in the emotional fads and sensationalism of the dark ages, without light or vision for the future with respect to truly investigating, advancing or curing the ills and problems of modern society. But rest assured, our pride and arrogance can only last so long, then we have no recourse but to turn our roles and society over to the monsters we are creating. That will be our legacy to consider for eternity.
I apologize for taking so much of your time, but appreciate this opportunity to share my thoughts. I pray that the progressive change sweeping the country such as the “First Step Act” and electing DAs’ who strive to end mass incarceration and fruitless retribution, will someday make it’s sidle approach into the dark crevices of this college’s administration, considering that redemption and rehabilitation makes us all better and safer.
Respectfully Yours,
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To mom and your son. I am so sorry that you have had to learn the dark side of human nature this way. I suggest an on line college. Apply and keep applying to colleges, you will find one somewhere… and do not throw out information to anyone unless you have to. If a college asks, then toss that application, not all online schools care. The degree will make him feel better and it’s important to have a goal. But warn your son to find a way to be self employed. There are people out there with many degrees who cannot get a job because they are on the registry, I know because I have a relative that has several degrees, he is a RSO and had good jobs before, but now, nothing, and the sad part is that he would not listen or try when he was healthy enough because he got angry at not having the life he had before. It is very important to not fall apart.
Help your son get knowledge in business or/ and writing, with the intent to start his own business,but he will need your help to begin. There are a few jobs like truck driving and landscaping, but for the young, there is time to build a business. Mom, you can be his rock and you can help him. Just be smart and do not try to go places that will bust him in the teeth. Think calmly, think deep, and you could even start something that he can finish with your name, & status. Just be smart. I guess if I was young I would start a landscaping business, I hear the owners make good money.
Actually, I know that I would start a landscaping business,but now even I can’t because I am too old. Just don’t let time go by without seriously thinking about options, and realize that most people out there are downright cruel when they hear the words, “sex-offender”, it does show up people for who they really are and it exposes the masks that they hide behind. Generally speaking, unless it happens to them they will not change, and even if they sympathize, sometimes they are fearful of being targeted.
Do not let this destroy, be strong!
I recently tried to register at Eastern Florida State College for several classes but was stopped less than halfway through the process. The application clearly asks if you’ve ever been convicted of a sexually related offense. If you answer yes the process stops and you’re told that you cannot be granted admission. If you answer no your name is still run through the FDLE and uncovered that way. There’s no administrative process to appeal, it’s just “no”.
I also applied to University of Central Florida but ran into complications there also. It wasn’t a flat, immediate no but I will need to go through the Office of Student Conduct for a review hearing. I want to finish a program I started back in 2007 but was interrupted in 2009 by my arrest.
Since I am fortunate enough to be retired and therefore financially stable my heart breaks for registrants who are making strong full efforts to become self-supporting and build a meaningful life but run into walls like these. I simply want to finish what I started so my problems are minimal compared to young or even middle-aged folks trying to restart life. I struggle with pushing my application at UCF because I’m afraid of the outcome setting a precedent for others applicants if I’m denied admission.
Seemingly the political and social focus is to demean and disable registrants. Society speaks out of both sides of their mouths….. “redeem yourselves, your shouldn’t be allowed to feed from the public trough so you need to work and take care of yourselves” but the other side says “you’re not worthy and are a public danger incapable of any recovery. We don’t want you in our schools to prey on our children”.
I honestly don’t know if we’ll be able to bring about change in the current political climate.
There is an avenue to appeal an administrative denial… it is called DOAH court.
Eastern State College tried that shit with me… once I got an attorney and forced them to explain “how” my attendance would be harmful they completely backpedaled and did not want what would have been an arbitrary and capricious reasoning on record for me to take them to court. The way to do it is as follows….
FLORIDA RULE 9.190.
JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
(a) Applicability. Judicial review of
administrative action shall be as in civil cases except as specifically modified by this rule.
(b) Commencement.
(1) An appeal from final agency action as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 120, Florida Statutes,
including immediate final orders entered pursuant to section 120.569(2)(n), Florida Statutes, or other administrative action for which judicialreview is provided by general shall be commenced in accordance with rule 9.110(c).
I had problem with a local college as outlined in the story, but, I was on probation at the time. The college after attending for a year and a quarter pulled me out of class during finals week. They just found out about my conviction, when in fact my probation officer sent them a letter about my status, when I applied to the college. I took the college to court, pro we, and a agreement was reached after a month and was aloud to return. In this,story, I would have taken the college to court and having my ducks in a row, would put this college on the same path as the one I had to do. You can only hope that we stand up and say we paid out debt and are trying to improve and show the world we are not the monsters that the news uses to get ratings. But, are people trying to show as the real facts show, we can be model citizens in a place of people.