Four federal district court findings on the Fourth Amendment rights of college students. (Editor)

College officials must understand and respect student rights when it comes to search and seizure. (Editor/HS)

It appears that university officials will be forced to recognize a student's right to privacy in a dormitory room. (PG)

The issue examined is whether those unique characteristics of the university environment that have led to the development of a judicially-sanctioned general regulatory power will automatically render a warrantless disciplinary search "reasonable" within the terms of the fourth amendment. (LBH)

Judicial handling of Fourth Amendment issues arising from warrantless searches of college students' housing has concentrated on the status of the student. The author points out the defects in the status theories which have been used to justify relaxed standards of protection for college students. (Editor)

The legal rights of college students have changed substantially over the years, particularly during the 20th century. This paper provides a historical sketch of student rights, including a listing of significant events and cases, from the founding of Harvard College in 1636 to the bicentennial of the Constitution and the 50th anniversary of the…

Focuses on the last 15 years of privacy cases involving students. The cases examined cover the areas of searches, the family relationship, personal autonomy/appearance, and information privacy. (IRT)

Describes the "Stanford Daily v James Zurcher" case involving a police search of the Stanford University newspaper office, presents student press reactions to the case, and reports on other current issues that affect the student press. (GT)

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.…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) drug-testing program affects thousands of collegiate athletes. This article examines the web of testing procedures and raises questions about the legitimate interest of the program; focuses on federal and state constitutional limitations; and suggests some ways to correct operating procedures.…

Examines the National Collegiate Athletic Association's drug testing program of student-athletes and relevant legal decisions. Concludes that each individual urinalysis search, not based on suspicion, is a violation of the student-athlete's privacy and is an unreasonable search in violation of the Fourth Amendment. (100 references) (MLF)

The current case law that impacts search and seizure decision making is presented as it is interpreted in matters of policy and procedure in university-owned housing. Implications for the practice of student affairs are discussed as they affect a university's ability both to provide an academic environment and to protect the rights of residents as…

This paper discusses the proper way to conduct official government investigations on college campuses within the framework of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The article emphasizes that this amendment lays the groundwork for the limitations on the exercise of…

Constitutional guarantees, as provided by the Bill of Rights, are enjoyed by all citizens. This principle applies no less to students with respect to their college or university domicile. Case law on this subject suggests that three questions must be answered to determine the reasonableness of residence searching: (1) by whom the search is…

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)