Policy of Entry into Student Rooms
Authorized NHTI personnel – defined as resident assistants, residence directors, the director of Residence Life, Maintenance staff, and Campus Safety officers – have the right of entry into resident students’ rooms for the purposes of maintenance, assessment of damages, inventory of NHTI property, determination of suspected violations of law, public health and sanitary regulations, NHTI rules, regulations and policies, or in emergencies when danger to life, safety, health, or property is reasonably suspected.
Search and Seizure
CCSNH regards the right of privacy as an essential freedom. Occupied premises, assigned lockers, privately owned automobiles or any other personal property owned or controlled by a student may not be searched without consent of the student except in the circumstances noted below. Before a search is conducted, school officials will have reasonable grounds to believe that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated, or is violating, either the law or school rules. All searches will be reasonable and justified from their inception and reasonable in scope:
- Residence Life health and safety inspections, Thanksgiving break closings, winter break closings and spring break closings to insure the health, cleanliness, safety and maintenance of the residence halls. During inspections, if a policy violation comes to the attention of the staff (e.g., candle), it may be addressed judicially.
- Routine inspections, emergency repairs, and/or routine maintenance. Such activities do not normally include searches, but are for the purpose of inspection, maintenance, and repair.
- Entries authorized in advance by the president or VPSA (or designee) in writing based upon reasonable information that such entry is necessary for the purpose of detecting and removing items including, but not limited to, weapons or other contraband that violate a law or a school rule or pose a threat to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff or guests. The scope of any search conducted pursuant to this authorization shall extend no further than is necessary to secure and remove the item(s).
- Entries and searches authorized by law. Entries and searches conducted by duly and authorized law enforcement officials under circumstances authorized by law.
- Entry may be made to ensure the health and safety of occupants. Examples include, but are not limited to, fire or alarm evacuations, smell of smoke or burning items, and concern for non-responsive occupants
- Appropriate staff may enter if there is a reasonable belief that evidence exists that a violation of a college policy is taking place. Efforts will be made to seek compliance from the residents of the space before this type of entry is made.
