New Haven to "ban the box?"

I remember way back my freshman year, WesPrep was petitioning to "Ban the Box" in Connecticut - that is, to not allow employers the "Do you have a criminal record?" question on job applications. According to a Friday New York Times article, it looks like that might happen, at least in New Haven:

On job applications for city jobs and jobs with city contractors, applicants must now check a box to indicate they have a criminal record. The human services committee of the Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a proposal two weeks ago to remove the box on the job applications, and on Tuesday the full board will vote on the matter.

If the proposal is approved, New Haven will join other cities, including San Francisco, Baltimore and Minneapolis, that have voted to remove the question on their job applications. Proponents of the move say that people who have done their time deserve jobs, too, and the current job application question usually means they are dismissed out of hand no matter what their skills.
...

If implemented, the question about past criminal history would be moved to the end of the job application process, Ms. Matos said. Only after an applicant is interviewed and given a conditional offer of employment would a criminal background check take place. If a person is found to have a criminal history, and are then not hired, they would be given the chance to offer a rebuttal.

As many as 25 formerly incarcerated people are released in New Haven every week, according to the state Department of Correction.
[Read more.]

Sweet.

Get outside of the bubble

Want to get outside of the Wesleyan bubble a little bit? There are a couple of events you may want to check out:

Canvass for a local former-Wes-student Democrat!

Got Wesleyan pride? Have a couple of hours to spend making a difference locally before the election?

Join Wesdems in canvassing around Middletown for Matt Lesser, a former Wes student who is running for democratic state representative!

Matt is passionate about funding education, reforming Connecticut's highest-in-the-nation property tax system, expanding support for renewable energy, and protecting our open spaces and needs your help!

Email Sophie Ackoff at sackoff@wes or Miriam Berger at maberger@wes if you are interested!

See a local play at Oddfellows Playhouse!

Theatre 4 is a new professional theater company based in New Haven, and this weekend, they're going to be putting up a new show right here in Middletown, over at Oddfellows Playhouse.

The play, "Anton in Show Business," is described as an "intelligent comedy for grownups, satirizing the trials and tribulations of producing a play. While taking a comical look at self-involved actors, egotistical directors, complacent audiences, over zealous critics, and fickle corporate sponsors, the play’s heart lies in the growing importance of the arts for their ability – if only for a moment in time – to create community and magic."

When: October 10-11 at 8 pm
Where: Oddfellows Playhouse (128 Wash St)
$$$: I think free? But Theatre 4 is a nonprofit and there is a $20 suggested donation
Reservations: Call 203.623.7560

Donate blood to the American Red Cross!

The Wesleyan Blood Drive (this monday/tuesday at Beckham Hall) still needs people! See our prior post for more info. Sign up to give blood at www.giveblood.org - just put in 06459 as our zip code and look at what time slots are still open.