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Vending MachinesVending machines for soft drinks are available in several residence halls and in various other locationsaround the campus. For refunds of any money lost in vending machines, complete a vending machineform in the Business Office.Pest ControlPest control services will provide extermination for halls, rooms and common areas, routinely or by request.RESIDENCE HALL ROOM ENTRYAND SEARCH PROCEDURESDefinitionsThe following definitions pertain to students’ residence hall rooms:1. A Room Search involves a close physical examination of all areas, common areas, apartments,materials, and persons in the room or apartment and may require the physical presence of a person(other than the resident of the room) for reasons of official business of the University.2. A room inspection involves a visual examination of furniture and other materials in plain view.Opening the closet, desk, or dresser drawers may be part of an inspection as long as the belongingsin these areas are not disturbed. Any illegal items or items that violate the University Judicial Codeor residence hall regulations may be confiscated and/or turned over to law enforcement officials.3. A Room Search involves a close physical examination of all areas, materials, and persons in the roomand may involve going through an individual’s personal belongings (i.e., suitcases, boxes, contents ofdesks and dressers, clothing, pockets, etc.). Any illegal items or items that violate the University JudicialCode or residence hall regulations may be confiscated and/or turned over to law enforcement officials.Health and Safety InspectionsReasons for room entry and/or inspections include the following:1. A periodic check of conditions of furniture, safety, pest control, maintenance (routine room inspectionmay be necessary).a. Methodist University reserves the right to make periodic entry into and inspection of any residencehall room for reasons of establishing that University property within the room has not been abusedor destroyed and that clean and safe conditions exist in the room. Failing room inspections willresult in a 24-hour reinspection. Failure to pass the reinspection will result in a $25.00 fine andan additional reinspection.b. Residents should be present for inspections if possible. If residents are not present, a masterkey will be used to enter the room.2. Residence Hall Closings—Each residence hall room is inspected by the residence hall staff at thebeginning of every vacation period.3. Emergency Situations—Room entry may be made when an emergency situation exists. Examples ofemergency situations are evidence of a fire in the room, good reason to believe that a person is sick orinjured in the room, or good reason to believe that a theft or unlawful entry is in progress. The ResidentialCoordinator or other appropriate University officials may determine other emergency situations.4. Violation of Law or of University and Residence Hall Regulations—If there are reasonable groundsto believe that a violation of regulations or laws will take place, is taking place, or has taken placein the room, entry into and inspection of the room is acceptable.a. If a staff member enters a room and makes a cursory inspection, thus obtaining reasonable cause fora search, he/she may: 1) ask the occupants to leave the room and stay with a staff member while apetition to search form is being obtained, and 2) seal the room to prevent destruction of evidence.b. Except in instances of extreme emergency, the person entering the room will knock on the doorat least three times, identify himself/herself, and enter the room with a master key, as necessary,if the residents do not answer immediately.Room SearchMethodist University reserves the right to search any student’s room at any time for any purpose thatis a reasonable exercise of the University’s duty to maintain discipline in an educational atmosphere.1. Before a search takes place, the staff member must secure a petition to search form by stating his/her “reason to believe” that a search is necessary to a Residential Coordinator or his/her supervisor,who may issue a petition to search. The form should specify the place to be searched, the reasonfor the search, and the names of residents of the room.46