ROOM SEARCH BY RESIDENCE HALL STAFF

The university is opposed to general room searches (search of a number of rooms in a given area in the absence of “causes” to search a certain room). General room searches will be permitted only in the case of extreme situations as determined by the Assistant Vice President for Business Services.

All room searches by residence hall staff will be cleared with the Central Housing Administration, unless an emergency or what is believed to be an emergency precludes such a delay. The room will usually be searched by Special Assistants or Hall Directors, and observed by a Resident Assistant. Following all searches, a written report should be prepared by the Hall Director and forwarded to the Director of Housing. This report should be filed within twenty-four hours of the search. If appropriate, the report would be submitted to The Center For Student Rights and Responsibilities, as well.

Rooms will be searched only with “cause” and the occupants will be notified of the reason for any room search. There are two general situations that might precipitate a room search.

• A clear indication that the established conduct, standard of health, or a safety regulation is being violated. This involves a judgment call but it is hoped that abuse will be controlled by the recognition that fruitless room searches can quickly destroy staff-student relationships.

• Emergency situations occasionally occur that make it necessary for a staff member to search a room for a particular item (e.g., a discarded prescription bottle, a weapon, or a particular telephone number or address).

Before any search is begun, current room occupants will be notified of the reason for the search (if they are present) and will be afforded an opportunity to produce voluntarily the items or materials sought. Only items that are specifically prohibited or that pose immediate danger to the health or safety of the residents will be removed from the student’s room without prior consultation with the owner. If this must be done according to the above conditions, the student(s) will be promptly notified of the removal and a receipt will be left for the item removed. If the item removed may be legally possessed by the student or poses no Code of Student Conduct violation, it may be claimed by the student but not retained in the residence halls.