From the application:
-- In addition, a DOJ fingerprinting fee is required of all accepted applicants (about $25 depending on the service provider).

Why do they need to fingerprint Master Gardeners?

Current

@Huh? (a resident of Crescent Park):

They aren't singling out master gardeners.

The program is operated by the University of California; the fingerprinting is a state requirement, just like California school teachers are fingerprinted.

Thanks for the clarification Reader

Is being fingerprinted a new requirement? I took a few tech classes at
UC Extension just in the last few years and no one asked for my
fingerprints. What is the rationale for fingerprinting?

I guess education is the new terrorist threat, anyone who gets
education is automatically a suspect. Geeze.

@Huh? (resident of Crescent Park):

Taking a class at the UC Extension isn't the same. You are not acting as an agent or representative of the state, you are simply a customer.

The requirement has nothing to do with education. A construction vehicle driver employed by the State of California (e.g., someone working for Caltrans) has to get fingerprinted.

The point is that employees and agents of the state must be fingerprinted and pass an identity test. In the case of UC Master Gardeners, the person is an agent of the state university's program and regardless of their volunteer status is thus acting as a agent of the state's program.

Note that people who attend seminars/classes presented by UC Master Gardeners are not required to be fingerprinted.

It is just the agents themselves.

Fascinating Reader, thank you. Oh, and everyone remember you have three choices in life - you can grow the food, cook the food, or cleanup.

Which will you Master in?

Reader ... according to the application I read there is a $25 or so fee for fingerprinting.
( see the link: Web Link )
What kind of agency is a student, and why do they require them to be fingerprinted?
Someone please explain this?

You can also
- eat the food
- buy the food
- sell the food
- plow the food under
- adulterate the food
- compost the food
- ???? or almost anything else

Not sure I follow your comment LS ?

Huh? What you mention is in addition to the basic truth.

Many say the choice is cook or clean - I take it a step farther.

You get to be the gardener or the cook in this life. If you can't lead either of those, then you are sous gardener or sous cook. Anybody left does dishes.

So it is written, so it shall be done.

@Huh? (resident of Crescent Park):

Go ask the people who run UC Master Gardener program. I'm sure they will tell you that it's a state regulation.

In order to represent the University of California (which partly financed by the California state government), employees (or this case agents), need to be fingerprinted and submit to a DOJ identity check. That's pretty much a broad requirement, not just for master gardeners.

As for the fingerprinting fee, that's part of what a potential master gardener has to willing pay for. There are sometimes other requirements that potential employees/agents need to fork out of their own pockets. Some jobs require a valid driver's license; that something the individual needs to pay. Some jobs require a typing test, again something the individual needs to pay for. Many jobs have required uniforms (like restaurant wait staff) that are not supplied by the employer.

Laura, I'm sorry this discussion has devolved into the minutiae of state employment procedures. I suggest you have the Embarcadero Media admins lock further discussion to registered users.

Reader, don't condescend, and don't condescend more and longer especially.
The question was why this is a regulation? I heard you now, you don't know.

I am sure someone will say .... 911, but I am curious as to ...

why does a Master Gardener student need to be fingerprinted?
Or, why does everyone need to be fingerprinted?
Just a question, not a request for irrelevant and already understood information.

The lack of clear understanding on this means that we have been sold a bill of
goods in terms of security and we don't even seem to care.

@Huh? (a resident of Crescent Park):

Okay, here's the verbiage from the Office of the Attorney General:

"Securing a criminal background check prior to employment, licensure, or certification provides a hiring or licensing authority an important resource, which aids in the evaluation of the applicant. These applicants are often candidates for positions that place them in a position of trust for some of California's most vulnerable citizenry, elderly, and dependent adults and children. As such, it is vital for the hiring or licensing authority to be aware of specified active arrests or convictions. Entrusting applicants with the responsibility of the position prior to a criminal background check potentially jeopardizes the safety and integrity of the workplace and may leave some individuals exposed to unnecessary harm. Employment and licensing authorities may also face legal liability if applicants with specified active arrests or convictions are employed or licensed when statute prohibits such action based on the successful completion of a criminal background check."

Source URL: Web Link

Reader???? do you read your own link? Besides this is the web page of the Office of the Attorney General. It might have something to say about hiring Police Officers or attorneys. I did not ask the function of fingerprinting in general. Sheesh.

--- Employment and licensing authorities may also face legal liability if applicants with specified active arrests or convictions are employed or licensed when statute prohibits such action based on the successful completion of a criminal background check."

Being a student is not the same as being a employee or agent of the UC. Go ahead just waste more of my time.

@Huh:

The University of California is providing a certification to Master Gardeners. That and the fact that Master Gardeners hold a state-approved position that conveys a level of trust is probably what makes them subject to the background check/fingerprinting.

In any case, if you feel that your time is being wasted here in this discussion, I suggest you follow my earlier advice and contact the UC Master Gardeners program directly.

You seem to be very vested into knowing why master gardeners are subject to a fingerprinting test charge and as someone who is not affiliated with the Master Gardeners program, I am sorry to say that I am unable to provide you with an authoritative answer to your inquiry.

Have a great evening!

You have no answers on the fingerprinting, but you sure can line up those BS fake likes.

People, calm down....

I actually read this article and comments hoping someone could give feedback to the curriculum and the experience of becoming a master gardener....
and All I got was this?
Be respectful. If you can't answer the question, don't. If the answer to the question is not satisfactory, MOVE ON and don't grind the situation.
What has happened to the people of Palo Alto....???

Argh....