UW notifies Seattle campus of sex offenders

The University of Washington has sent an email notification to all students, faculty and staff at its Seattle campus because two high-risk sex offenders are enrolled during winter quarter. UW Spokesman Norm Arkans said he believes it is the first time the university has ever sent a campus-wide email notice about a sex offender attending classes on the Seattle campus, The Seattle Times ( http://is.gd/okWtNc) reported. James Cavitt, 47, was convicted of child molestation in 2004, and Daniel McInally, 42, was convicted of second-degree rape of a child in 2003. Both are level-three sex offenders, legally considered to have a high risk to re-offend, according to the King County Sheriff's website. The university has mapped out their schedules to make sure there are no minor students in any of their classes, Arkans said. "We sat down with them and worked out a plan," he said, adding that it is a very rare occurrence for a sex offender to be admitted to UW and enroll in classes. "It's obviously unusual and challenging," Arkans added. "They served their sentences, and they decided they wanted to get an education." Arkans described the situation as a "difficult social issue." He said the university did not think it could deny the men an education. "Having been through the justice system, do they not have access (to education) as citizens?" he asked. Both men are under the supervision of the State Department of Corrections. "We're monitoring and watching and staying in touch," Arkans said. Neither man lives near campus. Both have addresses in South Seattle.