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I.        PURPOSE

For the control and inspection of lockers assigned by the schools and units for the use of students, faculty or staff members for a specific time period.

Under the direction of the President, the Vice President for Administration shall ensure compliance with this policy. The Director of Public Safety and respective Deans, Vice Presidents or designees shall implement this policy.

A.     Requirements:
 
        1.    Schools and units shall assign lockers for the use of students, faculty or staff members for a
               predetermined time period. Each school will monitor the use and control of these lockers.

        2.    A "Locker Assignment" form shall be available from each school or unit. The following items will
               govern the proper use of lockers:

               a.    Only locks approved by the Public Safety locksmith may be used on UMDNJ lockers. Other
                      locks will be removed by the locksmith.

               b.    The University reserves the right to open and inspect lockers and/or to remove contents when
                      occupied by an unauthorized student, faculty or staff member.

               c.    Flammable materials and dangerous chemicals shall not be stored in lockers. If in doubt about
                      the safety of material or chemical being stored, the Department of Environmental and
                      Occupational Health and Safety Services should be contacted for guidance.

               d.    The University makes every effort to protect personal property. However, UMDNJ assumes
                      no responsibility for losses due to theft, or other reasons. Personal valuables should not be
                      stored in lockers.

               e.    Locks that are left in place after the expiration of the locker use period, may be removed by the
                      locksmith or other University designee at the request of the respective Dean, Vice President or
                     designee.

              f.     "Locker Assignment" forms shall be available for inspection, if requested, by the Public Safety
                      Department.

        3.   A "Locker Inspection/Opening" form shall be available from the Public Safety Department. The
              Public Safety officers are authorized to request that the user of a locker open the locker for
              inspection, however:

              a.    A "Locker Inspection/Opening" form must be prepared, indicating the reason for inspection. The
                     form must be approved by the Dean or designee, Vice President or designee, or the Director of
                     Public Safety or the highest ranking officer on duty.

              b.    The student, faculty or staff member will be notified and advised to be present.

              c.    A Public Safety supervisor, the appropriate Dean, Vice President or designee, and the locksmith
                     must be present during this inspection.

              d.    If the contents are removed, they will be inventoried and listed on the "Locker
                     Inspection/Opening" form and safeguarded by the respective Dean, Vice President or designee.

              e.    If the user of the locker refuses to allow inspection, or cannot be located, the Director of Public
                    Safety or designee will take appropriate action to search the locker.

              f.    Each school or unit may develop and implement locker inspection procedures appropriate for
                    their individual needs while maintaining consistency with the intent of this policy.

        4.   In case of an emergency which threatens the life, health or property of UMDNJ, its students, faculty,
              staff members, patients or visitors, the Director of Public Safety or designee shall direct that a locker
              be inspected without prior permission.

B.    Responsibilities:

       1.    The Deans, Vice Presidents or designees are responsible for:

              a.    assigning lockers to users for a specific period of time;

              b.   completing the "Locker Assignment" form and having it available for inspection if requested by
                    the Public Safety Department;

              c.   ensuring that students, faculty, and staff members are aware of this policy together with any
                   department specific regulations pertaining to locker assignments, such as by accepting the use of a
                   locker, they accept the conditions of this policy;

             d.    witnessing locker inspections at the request of the Public Safety Department; and

             e.    safeguarding locker contents once removed.

       2.   The Director of Public Safety is responsible for:

             a.    ensuring the proper and authorized use, control and inspection of University lockers, through the
                    monitoring of "Locker Inspection/ Opening" forms;

 
b. ensuring that the locksmith establishes standards for locks used on University lockers; and

c. following proper legal requirements to search a locker when the user of the locker either refuses to allow an inspection or cannot be located to authorize the inspection.

         A. Locker Inspection/Opening Form (may be obtained from the Department of Public Safety)

__________________________________________
Vice President for Administration  

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