Protocol for Room Search Procedures

Individuals involved in search

  1. All searches must be approved by the Dean for Campus Life, Associate Dean for Campus Life, Area Coordinator, Public Safety Director and/or Public Safety Coordinator.
  2. The Public Safety Officer (PSO), Professional Hall Director or the above named college employee are authorized to participate. Student Hall Directors (HD) or Resident Advisors (RA) cannot conduct a room search.

Responsibilities of those conducting search

  1. PSOs and Residence Life Staff must announce their presence before entering a student's room and identify themselves for the students present.
  2. PSOs must be lead person in search and communications with others (HD, RA, etc.)
  3. HD/RAs are responsible for keeping the doorways clear and the students in sight while search is being conducted.
  4. If student is present, they are allowed to observe the conducted search.
  5. If search is conducted in more than one apartment suite, residents should be in the common area with staff, and no one is allowed in room(s) except the resident of the room being searched.

Evidence collection

  1. All illegal items or items in violation of the student conduct code confiscated are labeled and bagged by PSO as evidence for the search.
  2. All items are placed in the vault located in Public Safety.
  3. Public Safety Director and Public Safety Coordinator will review all evidence, take pictures for the incident report and then destroy/dispose of the evidence.
  4. All evidence should have the following information identified; who, what, when, where and witness statements.
  5. Once a search has been conducted, no PSO or Campus Life official is allowed to re-enter without proper authorization.
  6. All clothing and items must be returned to their original location following a search. Rooms found in violation of health and safety rules/regulations should be documented and the Associate Dean for Campus Life should be notified.
  7. All possessions may be searched (i.e., drawers, bookbags, cases, closets, etc.).
  8. A search may not be conducted of a person.

Addressing questions/concerns expressed by students

  1. Questions should be referred to the Associate Dean for Campus Life or the Dean for Campus Life at x2101.
  2. Students have a right to know the reason for the search in writing at the time of the search and after the search.