Adjudication of allegations of student misconduct in campus living facilities is one of many responsibilities often held by residence hall staff. After receiving an incident report, these administrators may address concerns like roommate conflicts, fire safety, vandalism, and alcohol consumption with their residents in formal or informal meetings…

The results of recent cases indicate that residences and dormitories owned by higher education institutions should be considered "dwellings," and thus subject to the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act (1968) as amended requires that the providers of dwellings accommodate assistance animals, which includes not only service animals,…

Since 1970, officers on the Seattle campus have regularly patrolled the hallways of dormitories of the University of Washington. It is a community-policing strategy, a low-key way to engage students. However, the practice might cease this fall. In June, the state's Court of Appeals ruled that students have the same right to privacy in dormitory…

Just a few days before the shootings at Virginia Tech, officials at the University of Delaware received a complaint from the family of a female undergraduate student. The family said that Maciej Murakowski, a 19-year-old student who lived in the same residence hall as their daughter, had posted material on his Web site that made the woman fearful…

Surveyed 78 students to examine the nature of physical and verbal abuse experienced by students who filed judicial complaints. Verbal abuse was the most common, while 24 percent reported pranks, property damage, or physical abuse. Over one-third of the students reported being pressured to drop charges. (JAC)

A ruling in a dispute over whether the State University of New York System was justified in barring from its Cortland campus a group selling kitchen products is discussed. The case involved the legality of a regulation that bars most commercial activity from SUNY campuses. (MLW)

Vendors often use product demonstrations as a means of enticing students to purchase their merchandise. Officials at the State University of New York at Cortland objected when a student hosted in her dormitory room a demonstration conducted by a salesperson representing American Future Systems, Inc. The resulting litigation is discussed.…

Considers the right to free speech guaranteed in the first amendment to the United States Constitution and discusses categories of public property and the standards of regulation applied to each in terms of freedom of speech. Reviews two court cases involving American Future Systems, Inc., a private corporation which sells cookware, silverware,…

Legal disputes concern limiting access of sales demonstrations to student residence halls. Court cases argue the regulation of commercial speech, the rights of sales demonstrators on campus, the university's censorship of demonstrations, and student privacy and association rights. (SI)

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving three competing interests--the university, students, and commercial vendors. Examines lower court decisions in the case along with other jurisdictions that have specifically addressed the issues of commercial solicitation on campuses. (MLF)

Reviews court decisions concerning search and seizure, intervisitation between sexes, canvassing and solicitation, and damage assessments. College administrators must rely on fairness, ethics and sound educational philosophies in the design of policies affecting residence halls. (JAC)

Examines 15 cases dealing with dormitory searches covering a 31-year period to determine how the Fourth Amendment applies to dormitory searches. The prevailing consensus is that if a university says and thinks it has the right to conduct a search of a room for health, safety, and maintenance reasons, then, in most circumstances, it has this right.…

Presents issues regarding search and seizure in residence halls and suggests some policies that may be used until the law is clarified. Examples include use of a search warrant for routine safety inspection, in emergencies, when students give permission, or when evidence is in plain view. (JAC)

Provides a survey of cases in which institutional liability has been called into question, to encourage administrators to review safety and security programs and minimize the risks associated with campus crime. Cases are reviewed that arise from crimes in residence halls, on campus grounds, and off campus. (Author/TE)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This March 26, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Going Over the Falls" (Brady, John N.); (2) "Lessons in Departmental…