Most universities check references and conduct criminal background checks on potential employees. One school has quietly added a new pre-employment requirement.

The University of Akron kicked up its demands recently. In addition to the typical pre-employment rituals, the school now requires all new employees to be willing to submit a DNA sample.

In spite of criticism, school officials insist the school has not yet collected any DNA samples. It is just “reserving the right to do so,” according to Akron spokesperson Laura Martinez Massie.

Akron wants “a safe environment for all of its students and employees,” Massie continued, explaining that DNA identification is the criminal identification tool of the future. In the event of a crisis, Akron wants to be able to use “the new technology if we found it necessary.”

There’s a huge red flag waving in the near future: The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) goes into effect Nov. 21, 2009. This new legislation may open a can of worms for pre-employment DNA demands.

Is requiring an applicant to agree to provide a DNA sample an acceptable pre-employment demand? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Tags: Laura Martinex massie, The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, University of Akron