Still surprised they can do this.

Bwog has received tips from multiple RAs confirming updated RA procedures for investigating incidents of the use of marijuana in dorms:

• If an RA smells marijuana from a dorm room, they will initially knock on the door and, if the resident answers, the RA will write up the incident as usual.
• If nobody answers, however, the RA is now required to contact public safety as well as a Residential Life Associate Director.
• Public safety will then enter your room and search the premises.

Although a similar policy seems to have been enacted in the past, the new procedures seem to cut out confirmation by a second RA and require the RA notify an Associate Director.

Although such procedures are not explicitly outlined in Housing Policies or Terms & Conditions, the Drug Policy Violations section of Housing’s Policies states:

Residential Life and Judicial Affairs works closely with Public Safety to ensure appropriate follow-up of campus incidents involving drugs.

Furthermore, under the Compliance section of Housing’s Policies such actions seem to be justified:

Students are required to comply with the legitimate request of a University official exercising his or her duty.

And, as always, the Inspection section of Housing’s Terms & Conditions states:

The University reserves the right to enter an assigned space for reasons of health, safety, or emergency with or without the occupant’s permission

So remember, kids, public safety can and will enter your room, prompting a search for illicit substances. Our advice from 2013 still rings true: hide yo’ bong, hide yo’ stash, ’cause they invadin’ everybody up in here.