Policy 6 - 13: SEARCH AND SEIZURE

Lockers and student desks are the property of the College and are subject to periodic inspection under the authorization of the President or his/her designee any time health, safety, or compliance with the College rules by students is in question. The following rules shall apply to the specific search of College property assigned to a student and the seizure of any illegal items found therein:

1. There should be reasonable grounds for any search and/or seizure of property.

2. Search of an area assigned to a student should be made in the presence of a witness, and when reasonably possible, in the presence of a student.

3. Illegal items (weapons, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages, stolen property, etc.) or other items reasonably determined to be a threat to the health, safety, or security of the student and/or others may be seized by College authorities.

When reasonable cause exists, a search of the student may be conducted under the authorization of the President of his/her designee. A search of a student is reasonable if:

1. There are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the student has violated or violating either the law or rules of the College.

2. The search itself is conducted in a manner reasonably related to its objectives, and limited to areas and objects that reasonably could be expected to contain the items being sought and the nature of the infraction; and if the age and sex of the student are considered.

A student search, including desks and lockers, may be done by police or other law enforcement officials if there is a valid search warrant or, in certain cases, if there is a valid arrest. Such searches must be carried out in the presence of a College official, unless waiting to do so would impede the normal duty of law enforcement officials.

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