Lake Michigan College weighs fate of suspended sex offenders

BENTON HARBOR — Two of three students recently suspended from Lake Michigan College for being child sex offenders have filed appeals with the school. The college last month essentially banned all child sex offenders that appear on the state’s sex offender registry from taking classes on the campuses. Although the students technically are only suspended, sex offenders are required to register for at least 25 years. The Benton Harbor-based college posted its decision Feb. 17 on its Facebook account. The decision stemmed from a meeting earlier that month when a prospective student attempting to sign up for winter classes at the Niles Bertrand Crossing campus told administrators he was a convicted child sex offender. The student was not allowed to enroll. A few days later, the three current students were suspended after the school did a check of the entire school body of 4,200 students. “It prompted us to take a further look,” said Laura Kraklau, LMC spokeswoman. The policy does not affect sex offenders whose offenses have been against adults, nor does it prevent any students from taking online classes. The age of sexual consent in Michigan is 16. Kraklau said administrators looked at whether other colleges in the country had similar policies regarding the offenders. She added that it appears “a couple of other community colleges have similar rules and policies,” although she did not say which ones. LMC has declined to go into more details because of the current appeals. The new policy goes into effect for all four branches of the school — Bertrand Crossing, Benton Harbor, Benton Township and South Haven. There are day care facilities at the Benton Township and South Haven branches, and children visit the other branches for various activities and learning classes. Ada Meloy, general counsel with the American Council on Education, said Wednesday she believes a college has a reason to be concerned, and added administrators have every right to look into a situation involving registered sex offenders. However, she said students also should have the right to explain themselves. “Someone suspended should get the opportunity for an appeal,” she said. “I think schools need to look into the circumstance and evaluate. I think they could be put in a very awkward position.” Meloy did not say whether she agreed with the college’s decision. Staff writer Tom Moor: tmoor@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6234