<p>After reading through this thread I have noticed several comments stating that the search was legal because when you agree to live in a dorm which is owned by the university you agree the allow it. I wonder how it is decided which of our rights schools can just choose to say…“nah, we don’t follow that one. We have our own rules”. </p>
<p>Do you think if they said, well we don’t enroll students of X religion in our school, and when you agreed to come here you signed off that it was ok, would that just be met with “well you signed the agreement”?</p>
<p>It seems that all schools have that search waiver in their housing contracts and really anyone who wants to go to school and live there has no choice but to sign. Do you think this is a convenient way to circumvent the constitution? </p>
<p>Just because they say it is ok to make their own rules, doesn’t mean it is. At least I hope not.</p>
<p>Not sure if this was a private or public institution, but the prohibition on unreasonable search and seizure only applies to action by the government.</p>
<p>The college is private. Students sign off on ALL the university regulations when they matriculate. That’s why the college holds all the power in these situations.</p>
<p>I just wanted to post a final update now that school is over and my son is home.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>He attended a hearing and was fined $250 - They would only allow him to work off $150 of the “fine” aka clever revenue generator - so there was a $100 charge added to his tuition bill (that he must pay us back for).</p></li>
<li><p>Roommate was allowed to finish out the spring semester (after 2 weeks of letting him sweat it out), but is suspended for fall semester and can’t return until 2nd semester next year.</p></li>
<li><p>They initially threatened to rescind roommates scholarship but after appealing, reinstated it.</p></li>
<li><p>All boys are on probation, but none seems to know exactly how long that will last.</p></li>
<li><p>Son got his grades and just missed making the dean’s list, slightly improving on his first semester grades, roommate did even better, despite their nefarious behavior.</p></li>
<li><p>Bottomline - I still think they were too harsh and I don’t see how a monetary fine teaches anything. IMO, they should do community service or be able to work off more of the penalty fine. That’s why when the fund raisers called to ask why we hadn’t sent in our previously promised donation (as if paying full tuition wasn’t enough), I told them they could deduct it from his fine. ;)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>*I told my son is anyone ever shows up to search his room again, that he needs to call us immediately and tell them to hold on a few minutes then put them on the phone.</p>