Search and Seizure Policies
Students are subject to search by Authorized University Personnel when there is Reasonable Suspicion to believe that a student is in possession of controlled substances, alcohol, weapons, or stolen property. The entry or search of University owned living quarters occupied by a student may be conducted by the following people for the purposes and under the following procedures:
- By Authorized University Personnel when they reasonably believe a violation of University regulations and/or policies / procedures is being committed.
- By Authorized University Personnel in emergency situations to protect the health and welfare of the student or others in the residence. To ensure that health, fire, and safety regulations are maintained.
- By Authorized University Personnel or agents to make improvements, repairs and to provide routine maintenance service or to make emergency repairs and to prevent damage to the property of the student and the University.
- By sworn law enforcement officers in the performance of statutory duties and in accordance with legally defined procedures governing search and seizure.
Definitions Authorized University Personnel: Professional members of the Division of Student Engagement.
Reasonable Suspicion: Reasonable suspicion is satisfied when two conditions exist: (1) the search is justified at its inception, meaning that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law or university rules, and (2) the search is reasonably related in scope to the circumstances that justified the search, meaning that the measures used to conduct the search are reasonably related to the objectives of the search and that the search is not excessively intrusive.
Reasonableness: Exists when a University Official has reasonable and articulable grounds to suspect that the search will provide evidence that the student is violating the law or a school rule. For example, reasonable suspicion is established if the school official receive a credible email, observes drug paraphernalia or alcohol or if the school official observes physical factors indicating intoxication, e.g., slurred words, glassy eyes, or smell of alcohol or drugs.