Campus Policy
In Kentucky, convicted sex offenders must register with the Kentucky State Police. In addition, under the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended by the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, Eastern Kentucky University will disclose information concerning registered sex offenders.
The purpose of reporting on registered sex offenders is to ensure that members of the campus community have information available concerning their presence. Any person who is required to register as a sex offender in Kentucky shall provide notice as required under state law. The state is required to report such information concerning registered sex offender’s enrollment or employment and to make this information available promptly to the EKU Police Department.
The Registry of Sex Offenders in Kentucky is posted on the State Police website. After notification of a registered offender on campus, the EKU Police Department will notify the director of Human Resources if the offender is an employee. Human Resources will contact the employee to clarify their status and to advise them of applicable university policy and procedure. If the registered offender is a student, the police will notify the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the office will contact the student.
Procedures
- Registered Sex Offenders are not barred from employment or enrollment with EKU. Limitations and restrictions on employment must be both reasonable, job related, and directly related to areas of potential risk.
- Registered sex offenders are posted on the EKU Police Department website upon confirmed notice.
- All registered sex offenders are required to self report their status to the EKU Police Department upon employment or enrollment. If designated as a registered sex offender, after employment or enrollment, the self-reporting must occur within one working day of the designation. Failure to self-report may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion.
- Registered / convicted sex offenders are prohibited from working in or being upon the premises without authority of any area of the university that is designated to provide service / care to children. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, Model School and the Burrier Child Development Center. Other locations and / or events may be added at the discretion of the university administration.
- Supervisors of registered sex offenders should not assign the employee to an area from which they are prohibited if other employees are available to complete the assignment. If the assignment of the sex offender is essential, their immediate supervisor must escort them for the entire time they are working in the prohibited location.
- Registered Sex Offenders are prohibited from working or living in University Housing, and University Housing will not be provided to, or required of, any registered sex offenders.
- Registered Sex Offenders are prohibited from being within the living areas of the university’s residence halls.
Purpose of Notification
The state registry database is made available to alert possible victims of potential danger, not to punish or embarrass offenders. Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes 525.070 and 525.080, use of such information to harass a sex offender is a criminal offense and is punishable by up to 90 days in the county jail, or more severe criminal penalties may apply for more severe crimes committed against a sex offender.