Other Policy-Related Information
The following links elaborate on the Honor and Student Conduct Codes and related practices of the student disciplinary process. Failure to adhere to University policies may result in disciplinary action.
Searches
Although the University does not wish to intervene unnecessarily in students’ private lives, it has the right to enter any University facility to maintain health and safety standards, to address potential or actual dangers to people and/or property, to maintain compliance with laws and University regulations, as well as to maintain, inventory, or repair University facilities.
University facilities, including all residences occupied by students, are not private spaces over which the University has no jurisdiction; rather, these spaces are provided by the University for students to carry on their academic and personal lives in ways that do not put members of the campus community in jeopardy, that do not violate policies outlined in the Honor and Student Conduct Codes and Regulations, and that do not break laws. Thus, University policies allow for searches of rooms and other spaces when policy violations are suspected. Similarly, any University property and/or personal property brought onto campus may be searched, including, but not limited to, lockers, bookbags, luggage/safes, vehicles, and the contents of students’ or visitors’ pockets.
A search conducted by University personnel must be authorized by an approved representative of the Office of Residential Experience, a Professional on Call, or the Vice President for University Experience and Student Success (and the University Experience and Student Success Assistant Vice Presidents) (or designees). A student who is named in a written search authorization has the right to observe the search unless the student cannot be reached and/or is not present at the search location within a time deemed reasonable by the authorizer of the search.
During a search, any item identified as prohibited or potentially prohibited may be confiscated. The University reserves the right to retain and/or dispose of any confiscated item at any time, regardless of the item’s ownership or value. The University reserves the right to discard any item that was confiscated and that is considered illegal to possess. Also, any potential policy infraction identified through a search may be addressed through University disciplinary procedures (see “Disciplinary Procedures”) and/or reported to law enforcement officers.
When subject to a search, a student must provide full access to all items and compartments in the area or property designated in the search authorization, including but not limited to unlocking any area/item so that University personnel can inspect it fully. If the student fails to provide full access to an area/item, or if the student is not present to do so during the search, the area/item may be opened by University personnel, confiscated, and/or secured to limit or prevent the student’s access to the area/item (e.g., room lock change, housing reassignment). The student is solely responsible for any related damage, repair, replacement, and cost.
