‘Ban the box’ is the right thing to do

The American public education system has always held the promise of civic and economic opportunity, regardless of background or means. It is foundational to economic and social mobility, and a public university should strive to address racial, residential, and economic inequalities. This is why last Tuesday’s editorial about removing criminal history questions on admissions applications is so important.

As a parent of two students in Illinois universities, I want those universities to promote and support people to live positive and productive lives, not teach my children to judge or fear others. I am not worried that my children will be unsafe if these invasive and humiliating questions are not asked, because there is no evidence that asking the question helps make campus safer.

It is important to remember the criminal-legal system and the education system are two separate entities. Our colleges and universities should be where people with records are welcomed and empowered to turn their lives around, not discouraged from applying by an unnecessary question on the application.

In fact, both the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the United States Department of Education have urged universities to remove these questions from admissions applications. They emphasized the importance of an education to achieve the American Dream and said, “without inclusion, there is no true excellence.” I couldn’t agree more.

Laura Vavrin, Champaign