Clarett among hundreds of felons admitted to Ohio schools
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
By Encarnacion Pyle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Former Buckeyes running back Maurice Clarett's return to classes this week is generating a lot of buzz, but he's hardly the only person with a criminal record attending a central Ohio college.
Ohio State University estimates that 30 to 45 people with felony convictions or suspensions from another college apply to the Columbus campus each year as freshmen or transfer students.
Of those, about 20 or so make it through a vetting process that ensures they don't pose a safety risk. They still have to meet the school's academic requirements, and some give up when they find out they might not qualify for federal financial aid because of a drug conviction. The vast majority have gotten into trouble because of alcohol and drugs.
"It's a delicate balancing act of protecting the welfare of the larger campus community while helping those individuals who might have done something that they are not proud of reach their dream of getting a college education and giving back to society," said Mabel Freeman, Ohio State's assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions and first-year experience.