Searches

 

Purpose

To support Campus Public Safety, LBCC staff, and Center designees in upholding the basic responsibility of the college regarding safety and the maintenance of an educational atmosphere.

 

Statement

The college reserves the right to conduct searches, with reasonable cause, of premises and personal property on college premises. Searches may be made by Campus Public Safety, or at the Centers by the Public Safety designate, based on reasonable suspicion of violation of college administrative rules and/or state or federal law.

LBCC reserves the right to seize contraband and other property unauthorized to be on college premises or at college-sponsored activities for evidentiary purposes. If identified as Illegal, the property may be turned over to the proper law enforcement.

Prohibited Items, Reasonable Suspicion, and Reasonable Cause

“Reasonable suspicion” is defined for this Administrative Rule as a concern raised due to specific and observable facts, taken together with rational inferences from those facts. A “reasonable cause” exists when a college official has sufficient reason to believe that a campus regulation has been violated or there may be an existing threat to the safety of individuals or facilities.

Prohibited items may include but are not limited to illegal drugs, prescription drugs used without a current and valid prescription, alcohol used outside of the regulations for use specified in  AR 5045-01 (Use of College Facilities, Section I. Food and Drink), weapons (as defined in  AR 1025-01), any items of an obscene, harassing, demeaning, or violent nature which may violate state and federal law, and any property in the possession or control of a person who does not have authorization from the known owner of such property to possess or control the property.

Lockers

Lockers are the property of LBCC. As college property, they are subject to search for any prohibited items at any time upon the reasonable belief of Campus Public Safety that the locker may contain such material.

Unattended Items

If at any time a personal item such as a bag, coat, backpack, satchel, purse, etc. is left unattended at any College-owned or controlled property, there shall be no expectation of privacy on the part of the owner. Unattended and/or lost and found items may be turned in to Campus Public Safety or, at the Centers, the administrative offices. To identify the owner and/or with reasonable suspicion, Campus Public Safety or the Center designate is authorized to search such personal items to uphold the basic responsibility of the college.

Found Property

Public Safety will retain the found property for 30 days. If the owner is not identified, items less than $250.00 in value will be donated to a non-profit serving the local community. Items valued at more than $250.00 will follow state-found property laws. Found cash will be turned in to the business office for safekeeping.

 

 

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