Paul Krueger committed a triple murder in 1966 and served 13years in prison.
In 1999, he began teaching at Pennsylvania State University.
Penn State was unaware of Krueger’s past because they failed torun a background check when they signed a contract with him toteach at PSU in 1999.
Despite this disturbing incident, LSU students do not have toworry if any of their professors were former criminals.
Mimi Ruebsamen, Human Resources Management coordinator, said theUniversity performs thorough background checks on all employeesbefore they are hired.
Ruebsamen said HRM runs criminal, education and civil recordchecks on all employees. They also verify social security and pastemployment and check for motor vehicle violations.
Along with background checks, Ruebsamen said the Universityrequires employees to sign a release form to authorize them to runa credit check.
Jessica Audler, an interior design sophomore, said she is gladthe University runs background checks on their employees.
“What if I had to meet with my professor in his office and hewas a murderer?” Audler said. “I don’t want to have to go to classand worry about being safe.”
Lindsey Eck, an accounting sophomore, said knowing theUniversity performs background checks gives her a sense ofsecurity.
Eck said if the University did not do checks, they would beresponsible if anything happens to the students.
Eck said she does not think Krueger still should be allowed toteach at Penn State because even though he was convicted a longtime ago, he still could be a threat to students.
Nick Garvey, a communication studies sophomore, said theUniversity’s background checks make him feel safer when interactingwith his professors.
Garvey said if he found out one of his professors was convictedof a felony, he would drop the class because he would feeluncomfortable.
While most students would opt to fire a professor because of hisdangerous past, one student is more forgiving.
Laura Milazzo, a mass communication sophomore, said theUniversity still should let a professor teach because he may betrying to turn his life around.
“We should trust that our justice system handled the situationand that the professor has redeemed himself,” Milazzo said.
Milazzo said even though she believes Penn State should giveKrueger another chance and allow him to teach, if she was a studentin his class she would probably drop it.
Milazzo said she would lose respect for him and it would be hardfor her to take him seriously.