/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook.json

Inspection and Search Policy

Residence hall rooms may be entered by maintenance personnel or other University officials for the purpose of repairs, renovations, health inspections, safety inspections, and for the purpose of controlling behavior. 

 

During periods when the campus is closed for breaks, the Residence Hall staff will make health & safety checks of each residence hall room.  Evidence of violations of the Coker University Student Covenant or University policy found in open sight during these safety inspections or during routine repairs may be referred to appropriate University authorities for judicial action. Residence Life staff will also check refrigerators and freezers during inspections.

 

The President of the University, the Senior Director of Student Experience, or his/her designee may authorize the search of any University facility or personal vehicles of University students located on the University campus or other University premises.  The authorization will identify the room(s) or vehicle to be searched and the nature of the material for which the search is being conducted.

 

The authorizations will only be issued under the following circumstances:

• There is evidence of a violation from outside the room or area (such as seeing a student entering or leaving a room while committing a violation, detecting the odor of marijuana, if evidence of a violation is visible through an open door, etc.).

• There is reasonable suspicion to believe that a room search will reveal a violation of the Coker University Student Covenant or University policy.

• When civil authorities, under appropriate local, state, or federal laws, produce appropriate warrants and documentation to search University facilities, University-owned vehicles, or personal vehicles located on campus or property owned by or under the control of the University.

 

The search must be conducted by at least two Coker University or Campus Safety staff members.  Should the search reveal a violation other than the one for which the search is conducted, the evidence may be confiscated and judicial action initiated.  A search may include any locked closet or container in the room.  The lock may be cut or otherwise removed if necessary. 

All buildings are under the jurisdiction of Hartsville Police Department and may be searched at any time by the law enforcement agency.