FLC LOCAL
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: INTERROGATIONS AND SEARCHES
Searches in General
College District officials may conduct searches of students, their belongings, and their vehicles in accordance with state and federal law and College District policy. Searches of students shall be conducted in a reasonable and nondiscriminatory manner.
College District officials may initiate a search in accordance with law, including, for example, based on reasonable suspicion, voluntary consent, or pursuant to College District policy providing for suspicionless security procedures, including the use of metal detectors.
In accordance with College District policies and procedures [see FLB], students are responsible for prohibited items found in their possession, including items in their personal belongings or in vehicles parked on College District property.
Reasonable Suspicion Searches
Searches should be reasonable at their inception and in scope. If there is reasonable suspicion to believe that searching a student’s person, belongings, or vehicle will reveal evidence of a violation of College District policy and procedures, a College District official may conduct a search in accordance with law and College District regulations.
Suspicionless Searches
For purposes of this policy, a suspicionless search is a search carried out based on lawful security procedures, such as metal detector searches or random drug testing.
Use of Trained Dogs
The College District reserves the right to use trained dogs to conduct screening for concealed prohibited items. Such procedures shall be unannounced. The dogs shall not be used with students; however, students may be asked to leave personal belongings in an area that will be screened. If a dog alerts to an item or an area, it may be searched by College District officials.
College District Property
College District-provided technology, storage, and similar items are the property of the College District and are provided for student use as a matter of convenience. College District property is subject to search or inspection at any time without notice. Students have no expectation of privacy in College District property. Students shall be fully responsible for the security and contents of College District property assigned to them. Students shall not place or keep in College District-provided technology, storage, or similar item, any article or material prohibited by law or College District policy and procedures. A student shall be held responsible for any prohibited item found in College District property provided to the student.
Residence Hall Rooms
Searches of student residence hall rooms shall be conducted in accordance with administrative procedures established by the College President or designee. The procedures shall describe the situations for which a search may be conducted and distinguish searches by College District officials from law enforcement searches.
Searches Conducted by Law Enforcement
Searches and interrogations shall be conducted by College District police consistent with law and police department procedures.
The Executive Director of Student Affairs is responsible for reviewing and updating this policy. Policy reviews are made in accordance with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness Policy Tracking document.
DATE ISSUED: 4/9/2019
ADOPTED: 2/2025
UPDATE 36
FLC(LOCAL)-AJC