Editor’s Note: The Post does not endorse or condone breaking the law.
College is supposed to be the time of freedom and independence. This freedom does come limited, but every college student still has rights.
From now until the end of September, Resident Advisors will be conducting room searches for students. They can come into the room, whether you are there or not, and search the room for contraband items and damage.
A college student residing in a dorm is protected under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. This means that all students have the right to be secure in their own homes, even when they are living in residence halls.
There are very specific rules that OU sets for the dorms. Many are reasonable, but some are too restrictive and unnecessary. While you should still follow official guidelines, here are some of your rights regarding your room being searched.
How initial searches work
Ohio University’s Student Housing Handbook states that students will be given a notification approximately seven days prior to when inspections will be conducted. This does not mean your specific room search will, but just when they will begin for the residence hall.
RAs search the room for contraband items, both in plain sight and in university property.
This includes items such as alcohol, cooking appliances, posters covering more than 25 percent of your walls and even extension cords. These items can be claimed at the end of each semester. Also, there may be a $25 charge for these confiscated items.
Other year-round searches
RAs do not come into the room for other searches unless there is probable cause to do so. According to the housing contract, the university can enter a resident’s room if someone may be physically harmed and/or endangered, university property is damaged, OUPD has directed a search, to silence disruptive noise, to determine if the resident has vacated during a fire alarm or drill and in a case to determine the health, safety and welfare of the resident.
Students cannot deny this room search from an RA, however this does not apply for when police come to your dorm.
Police searches
In Ohio, police cannot come into dorm rooms without a warrant. If a police officer knocks on your door to search the room otherwise, you can deny them entry. For those who live in suite dorms, officers cannot search the adjoining room connected to the room the warrant is granted for.
I’m not condoning that anyone should hide alcohol, drugs or any other prohibited items in a dorm room. It’s completely understandable that an RA would confiscate a bottle of liquor if they saw it. However, if a student were to get items such as an extension cord or a poster that covers a little too much of a wall, that would be too extreme. This is in addition to the resident possibly not even being in the room at the time of the search. I understand the intention is to ensure resident safety, but this takes it to a dramatic level.
For students who are concerned, be smart. This isn’t a recommendation to break the law or hide stuff from your RA. RAs just want to do their job. There usually won’t be an issue unless there has to be. Even if something is confiscated, remember not to take your frustrations out on your RA.
Hannah Campbell is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Tell Hannah by tweeting her at @hannahcmpbell.
