Q: Can campus police conduct warrantless dorm searches in NC?

A: The Fourth Amendment generally protects students from unreasonable searches in dorm rooms, which courts have recognized as having a reasonable expectation of privacy similar to a private residence The Fourth Amendment applies to dorm rooms just as it does to houses. This means a college student living in a dorm room has the same rights with regard to their dorm room as people have when living in a house.

However, your situation involves some important nuances. Campus police typically need a warrant or your consent to search your dorm room, but there are exceptions to this rule. Colleges often have their own policies that allow for campus staff to enter and inspect dorms under certain circumstances, such as with reasonable suspicion or in emergency situations. The smell of marijuana in a building might qualify as reasonable suspicion, but whether this justifies searching every room is questionable.

Your student handbook provision about searches during emergencies or when there are "reasonable grounds" reflects common university policies. Campus police are sworn officers of the law, so the same constraints generally apply to them when searching your dormitory room as would apply to other law enforcement officers—they typically need probable cause. You should review your housing agreement carefully, as it may contain provisions about random inspections that you consented to when signing it. If you believe the search violated your rights, consulting with a lawyer who understands both criminal law and university disciplinary procedures would be your best next step.