Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington’s Court of Appeals has ruled that university police officers have no right to randomly patrol dormitory hallways and common areas.

The decision has Washington universities reexamining their policies, while most Oregon universities say they will continue the practice. Correspondent Anna King reports.

Dorm sweet home. Dormitories at publicly funded universities are now considered residences as far as the police are concerned. So police have to obtain a warrant to search hallways or common areas.

Bill Gardner is Washington State University’s police chief.  He says the ruling doesn’t mean a pot-smoking or alcohol-swilling free-for-all in the dorms will ensue.

Bill Gardner: "This isn’t a situation where these residence halls become an island unto themselves and no police can ever visit there."

In Oregon, the debate over private residences at a public institution hasn’t become an issue.

Oregon State University officials say they will continue their patrols, while University of Oregon officials in Eugene say they don’t conduct regular patrols through residence halls.