Gonzaga University

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Entry, Maintenance/Custodial

Maintenance and Custodial personnel may access a student’s room when it is clear that (a) a Maintenance Request (Work Order) requires such entry to remedy the reported problem, (b) an emergency situation requiring access exists, or (c) routine maintenance or safety reviews require such access. Access will normally be accompanied by a notification in advance (except in the case of a Work Order, where notification is considered to have been waived by virtue of the student’s specific request). Maintenance and Custodial personnel may access common areas of the University Residences between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 10:00p.m., and may request access to students’ rooms between 10:00a.m. and 10:00p.m.

Entry, University Official

Entry by a University Official may occur for a number of reasons. Examples include: (a) to insure that health and/or safety standards are being met; (b) for purposes of repair, construction, or inventory; (c) for a safety inspection during vacation periods/Christmas break; or (d) when there exists reasonable suspicion that a violation of University policy or law is being committed, or has been committed; and/or that a delay in such entry would endanger the health and safety of the resident or property, or result in the probable destruction of evidence of the violation. Where possible, notice of intent to enter a room or property will be given to the resident in advance. However, advance notice of room entry may not be practical when emergency situations arise.

Entry and Search, University Official

The entering of a room and a subsequent search of that room may occur when there exists a reasonable suspicion that a violation is being committed, or has been committed, and the delay would endanger the health and safety of the resident or result in the probable destruction of the evidence that a violation was being committed.

Entry Procedure

  • Entry should be made by two persons, at least one of whom is a University Official, although entry may be made by a University Official alone.
  • If reasonable suspicion of a violation exists but the behavior or evidence of violation is believed to be occurring behind the closed door of a student’s room, the University Official must:
    • Knock audibly 
    • Identify him- or her- self by name and title 
    • Request that the door be opened 
  • If, after following the above steps the door is not opened promptly, or if the University Official is refused entry, the Official will: 
    • Knock audibly 
    • Identify him- or her- self by name and title 
    • State his or her intention to enter via use of his or her master key if the door is not opened 
    • Proceed to utilize their master key to gain entrance to the room. 
  • If reasonable suspicion of a violation exists due to behavior or evidence that is in plain view, or can be plainly heard or otherwise detected, the University Official may open/unlock a door and enter the room without delay.
  • The University official may open/unlock a door without delay if there is reasonable cause to believe that a delay would endanger health and safety.

Search Procedure

If the occupant(s) of the room is/are found within, the University Official will request their name(s) and student identification number(s). Falsification of such information is a violation of University policy and can subject the student to disciplinary action. The University Official may request confirmation of the student(s) identification by requiring that the student(s) produce a valid Gonzaga University ID card.

If the occupant(s) of the room is/are not found within it, the University Official will note the name(s) of all individuals who are assigned to that room as responsible for any materials that constitute evidence of a violation.

The University Official may immediately seize and remove any or all material which, by its presence, constitutes evidence that a violation of University policy has occurred. Such removal does not require express permission on the part of the room occupant(s). The University reserves the right to confiscate, retain, and dispose of any and all illegal, dangerous, or prohibited items, regardless of value or ownership.

If the occupant is present, he/she may stay for the search. If the occupant(s) of the room is/are not present and a search of the room is deemed necessary to insure that University policies, rules and expectations, are being upheld, the search will be conducted by at least two individuals, one of which must be a University official. The search will be conducted in a private and unobtrusive manner.

In the case of room searches wherein the target of the search is a reasonable suspicion of drug use, or the search request for items not in plain view is denied by the resident, it is desired that at least one of the University Officials involved with the search be a professional member of the Student Life division, such as a Security Officer or a Residence Life Professional Staff member. Likewise, if the occupant(s) refuse a more detailed search of items not in plain view and it is the official’s decision to conduct that search without permission reasonable attempts will be made to assure a professional member of the University staff is present for the search.

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