Most on-campus residents will likely have their rooms inspected over winter break, a Boston University official said.
Residence assistants go through rooms with about 11,700 beds in a total of 143 on-campus residences, BU spokesman Colin Riley said.
When students leave for break, residence assistants enter rooms for inspections to make sure that students are complying with the rules and regulations of BU, Riley said.
According to BU’s Lifebook, the university reserves the right to enter and inspect a residence accommodation “in the interest of health, safety and proper conduct of the residents, or the orderly and efficient administration and operation of the residential system, or to maintain or repair the premises.”
The entry can be made at any time whether the resident is present, according to the Lifebook.
“Rooms and apartments are inspected before and during vacation and recess periods to ensure that windows are closed, electrical equipment is unplugged, the heat is turned down, and the room or apartment is secure, ”the Lifebook states.
Some students said they felt uncomfortable with the idea of strangers rummaging through their personal belongings.
“I mean I guess if they’re going through my underwear drawer that’s a little weird,” said Rishi Kulkarni, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore.
Despite reservations some students have about room inspections, Riley said that scenarios such as these do not occur.
“The inspections are cursory,” he said. “What’s open and visible. We are talking about lights left on and windows open. I’m not going to call them searches.”
Students are made aware of housing procedures before they even set foot in their dormitories, he said.
“All students receive a notice about what they need to do to,” Riley said. “We tell students even before they enroll what’s expected of them. The residence licensing agreement gives permission [for inspections].”
Some students said it is not that difficult to meet the simple standards the university holds and said room inspections are not as frightening as some make them out to be.
“I think as long as you do not leave anything out in the open, you’re fine,” said Stephen McVerry, a College of Communication sophomore. “I was never worried, but I didn’t know anyone who had anything taken until Thanksgiving break so I’d be a little more worried now. I just don’t think they have time to go through everything. I think their main purpose is to make sure windows are closed and such.”
McVerry said that a water boiler was confiscated over Thanksgiving break from a friend’s room.
Banned electric appliances are common discoveries amongst inspecting RAs, Riley said.
Issues with alcohol and drugs are less common, particularly as 21-year-old students are allowed to have up to six beers and a liter of another alcoholic beverages such as vodka in their rooms without consequence, he added.
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