For New Students

Criminal Background Check

Incoming students should initiate a background check only upon directions from the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

All background checks must be ordered from CastleBranch upon acceptance and should be initiated no later than April 1st.

CastleBranch

• The background checks are conducted by CastleBranch, a firm specializing in background checks for employees and students.
• Cost of the criminal background check will be the responsibility of the College-Institute.
• Instructions for obtaining your background check will be provided to you by the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.
• Results of all background checks are reviewed by the Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Support.

Purpose

For a variety of reasons, students enrolled at Hebrew Union College (HUC), an institution which requires off-campus field-based assignments and residencies, are required to submit to a criminal background check following acceptance, but prior to their matriculation into their program. Accepted applicants’ background checks must be received within 30 days of notification of acceptance. Failure of any portion of the required checks may be the basis for barring the student from enrollment or completion of the degree program, depending on the findings and based upon the student’s self-disclosure within their admissions application and enrollment confirmation form.

HUC’s implementation of background checks for students is primarily in response to our community’s desire for a safer campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. This step supports our commitment to a culture of safety on our campuses and instills confidence in our students who serve various communities and work with affiliates/agencies outside of HUC in important positions of influence and authority. These affiliates/agencies include, but are not limited to, clinics, hospitals, health facilities, camps, schools (primary and secondary), universities, community-based organizations, or local, state or federal agencies.

HUC requires background checks as a condition of matriculation for our programs and may do so because:

• students may have significant interaction with minors and vulnerable populations;
• students who cannot successfully complete a background check may not, in some instances, be eligible for licensure, certification, or employment upon graduation

Implementation

Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for matriculation in all HUC degree programs. Students will be given specific directions from the Office of Recruitment and Admissions about how to obtain the background check. Do not submit order to CastleBranch until you receive directions from the department.

Background checks will be honored for the duration of the student’s enrollment with the college institute if the participating student has not had a break in the enrollment. A break in enrollment is defined as nonattendance of more than one year.

Criminal Background Check

Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for admission and continuation in all HUC Programs. The background checks will include a seven-year multi-county felony and related misdemeanor criminal record search, a two standard seven-year employment history references search, a sanction check and an identity verification.

Of course, we believe deeply in the act of teshuvah, of thoughtful repentance and reparation, for transgressions of each person’s past. No person is ever finished in their development and growth is always possible. For that reason, if you feel that your record may reveal something from your past that may cause concern, we invite you to schedule a private meeting with our Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Support, Tracey Ward, to discuss a confidential appeals process.

Disclaimers

• A copy of your background check will be made available to the applicant and the Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Support. As requested by the applicant, background check results may be faxed, emailed or printed.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check for HUC does not ensure eligibility for future employment. Outside agencies and organizations agencies can conduct additional background checks at their discretion.
• If a student is found to be ineligible for field-placement or residency at any time during the program, the student may be unable to meet learning objectives and may be withdrawn pending resolution of the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a background check ordered?

You will be sent an invitation to begin the background check process following your offer of admission to HUC. You should initiate that background check no later than April 1, 2023. Reports should be received prior to the start of your program.

What happens if something comes back on my background check?

HUC believes deeply in the act of teshuvah, of thoughtful repentance and reparation, for transgressions of each person’s past. No person is ever finished in their development and growth is always possible. For that reason, if your record reveals something from your past, we invite you to schedule a private meeting with our Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Support, Tracey Ward, to discuss the confidential appeals process.

Why should anything other than a student’s academic performance matter to HUC?

Off-campus field placements and residencies are an important part of HUC’s curriculum, and during these placements, students may have significant interactions with vulnerable populations.

This step supports our commitment to a culture of safety on our campuses and instills confidence in our students who serve various communities and work with affiliates/agencies outside of HUC in important positions of influence and authority. These affiliates/agencies include, but are not limited to, clinics, hospitals, health facilities, camps, schools (primary and secondary), universities, community-based organizations, or local, state or federal agencies.

If you have any other questions regarding criminal background checks, please contact Tracey Ward, Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Support at tward@huc.edu.

In the happy event you are offered admission, to notify the Office of Admissions that you accept our offer of admission, you will be asked to submit an online Enrollment Confirmation Form and pay a non-refundable enrollment fee of $200 via credit card. This fee is waived for candidates of the Pines School of Graduate Studies and current students.

It is HUC-JIR policy for all enrolled students to submit medical information that is added to your confidential student record, in fulfillment of certain governmental and insurance requirements, and to assist with any emergencies that may arise. The documents include information for you to review and forms for you to complete with your doctor. You will need to schedule a medical appointment to complete the required information. All medical forms are required before matriculation.

All incoming students must have their official medical forms complete and submitted to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions no later than one month prior to the start date of your program. (Current HUC-JIR students may want to update your records).

As the Office of Recruitment and Admissions confirms your application file is complete, we will contact you for required elements, i.e. final undergraduate transcript, and official GRE scores. If you know items are needed, please request them in advance.

All students admitted to a program of HUC-JIR that requires the Year-In-Israel program will receive the current Year-In-Israel Student Manual that includes information about housing, travel, and what to expect. You will be granted access to this important manual once you submit your Enrollment Confirmation Form and Fee.

In order to apply for a HUC-JIR scholarship you must complete a few documents.

Applications to the Rabbinical School are made to HUC-JIR, not to a specific campus. Once you accept your offer of admission to HUC-JIR, you have the opportunity to indicate your campus preference using the online Campus Choice Form.

For candidates offered admission to one of HUC-JIR’s programs requiring the Hebrew Capacity Exam (HCE), results of the exam can be expected within two weeks after sitting for the exam. Results are communicated via our Coordinator of Hebrew Learning Support, who will discuss next steps for continued growth and preparation.

HUC-JIR offers two types of exemptions from the Year-In-Israel Program.

1. Prior study and experience: An admitted student may request an exemption from the Year-In-Israel if they can demonstrate that they have achieved the objectives of the year. Requests will be evaluated on the following criteria: (a) Hebrew proficiency, (b) prior study in the primary subjects of the Year in Israel course, and (c) significant time spent living in Israel.
2. Medical/Health Concerns: An admitted student may request an exemption from the Year-In-Israel if they can demonstrate that they have health issues that make an extended stay abroad problematic. These requests will be reviewed by the Director of Student Services and may require health records and/or letters from a physician. If an exemption is granted on the basis of medical/health concerns, the student will need to fulfill the academic requirements of the Year-In-Israel in the United States and may be asked to spend a summer in Israel health permitting.

To inquire more about Year-In-Israel Exemption, please contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.