"Due to the perceived increase in child abuse cases
involving pedophiles, a bill has been passed in the Maine
legislature requiring all school teachers to register their
fingerprints with the FBI. Several teachers regard this law as an
infringement on their rights ““ they may be fired. What are
your reactions to this case?" Arty
Clinton Fifth-year Study of religion "I guess if I had
kids I’d probably want to know what the teachers did, but I think
that trying to get fingerprints for the FBI might be going too far.
If I were a teacher, I wouldn’t do it. The FBI tries to know
everything and they don’t need to know that much. I have no idea
what the teachers can do in this situation except pray, that’s
about it. The law overall is pretty crappy." Cary
Snowden First-year Undeclared "I don’t think it’s a bad
idea. I don’t know what the teachers are trying to hide, so there
shouldn’t be any problem.They have a right to their privacy, but
they are dealing with children who don’t really have any rights
until they are 18. If they have to look after children anywhere
from six to eight hours a day then you shouldn’t have anything to
hide. I would do it if I were a teacher." Tim
Pierce Third-year Sociology "I think that would be a good
idea to have finger prints. In any job I know we have to give
fingerprints if we are working with little kids. It’s a problem, so
that would be one way to take care of it." Noni
Limar Second-year Theater "I think that the children need
to be protected first, but I don’t think it’s fair that you should
have to give your fingerprints. The teachers should be strongly
encouraged to do so, but I don’t think that they should be fired if
they don’t participate; I don’t think that makes much sense. I
don’t think it would be that big of a deal to provide your
fingerprints if you haven’t done anything, it’s just like asking on
an application if you’ve ever committed a felony." Lewis
Martin Third-year Mathematics "I think it’s a good idea
that they do fingerprints, not necessarily to use them in a
negative way to weed out potential teachers, but to use them as
protection for the kids. If legal action isn’t taken to ensure the
security of the kids then there is going to be a definite problem
with security in schools. If the fingerprints are being used
against them, then that is an invasion of their privacy. But in
order for you to work, (there are) going to be background checks
and they can still look into FBI files anyway." Rosa
Segura Second-year Undeclared "I think that maybe it is a
good idea for them to give their fingerprints. It’s not going to be
bad; they’re not going to be taken to jail. It will serve for the
protection of everybody because you never really know who is out
there and who’s doing what. I don’t think they’re going to get
fired unless they’re doing something they’re not supposed to be
doing. They do that to a lot of people anyway. For example, Mexican
immigrants have to be fingerprinted, so what’s the difference if a
teacher has to do it too?" Speaks Out compiled by Cuauhtemoc
Ortega, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Dave Hill, Daily Bruin
Senior Staff. Web adaptation by Christine Tan.