When a student is convicted of sexual misconduct and dismissed from their college or university, there is little to no indication on their transcript as to why they were dismissed. At some institutions, a small asterisk is placed at the bottom of the transcript indicating that the student had been dismissed. This symbol is used to indicate a dismissal for poor grades as well as the commitment and conviction of sexual misconduct. It then falls upon the college or university viewing this person’s transcript to not only notice the small asterisk, but then to contact this person’s former institution and inquire about their dismissal. This is a rare occurrence.
When a student is convicted of sexual misconduct, many college and universities are mainly concerned about getting this person off their campus, which is understandable and something that needs to happen. However, what happens when the student transfers schools and arrives on a new campus? This person’s new school is most likely not fully aware of the reasoning behind their dismissal.
Even when a student is found responsible through the criminal court system there is no way for institutions to know, as most do not perform background checks and relied on the self-reporting system of the Common App. There was a question that asks something along the lines of "Have you ever been dismissed from a college or university?" which led to a drop down yes or no option where students could easily lie, because, as stated before, most schools don't perform background checks. The Common App no longer asks any questions pertaining to previous dismissals as of 2019.