Faculty
Faculty Handbook
University Policies
Searching a student's personal papers and belongings
General searches of a student's personal papers and belongings are to be conducted at the discretion of an instructor only when there is a reasonable suspicion that the student has engaged in misconduct in violation of the Student Discipline and Conduct Code (chapter 11). Additionally, the instructor must believe that the search is necessary to maintain the academic integrity of an examination or to maintain an environment in which learning will occur. (General Information Bulletin, p. 87).
This policy seems to imply that an instructor could search the belongings of someone suspected of being in violation of the Student Discipline and Conduct Code. However, a search of the belongings of all students in a class would not be permitted.
The above five policies were implemented to safeguard students' rights and to protect faculty members. By complying with the rules outlined above, and becoming familiar with the other rules and policies that are found in the General Information Bulletin, the Handbook of Operating Procedures, Policy Memoranda, your school's or college's catalog, and other University publications, many potential faculty-students conflicts can be avoided.
Should you have any questions of comments about these policies or the Office of the Ombudsman please contact them at 471-3825. The office is located in the Student Services Building, Room 1.104.