There are times when an RA can enter and even search unannounced. вЂThey can and do observe anything in open drawers and closets and in plain view.вЂ™ вЂDuring a policy infraction, they can do so only after seeking permission,вЂ™ Hoefner said. Once an RA is in your room, the need for permission continues. вЂAt a minimum, students are expected to come out of their rooms to speak with the staff member,вЂ™ Hoefner said. Many people may be fearful of what might be found in a room and although it may not be in your best interest, you can refuse to let an RA enter. вЂThat evidence can then be put forward for possible judicial follow-up,вЂ™ Hoefner said. Trying to hide from an RA might not be a good decision, since forcing an RA to write up or document an event can force judicial action upon a student. вЂThey arenвЂ™t allowed to enter but they will wait outside and you can be documented for not cooperating.вЂ™ вЂWeвЂ™re told to let them know that we will call UPD,вЂ™ said Eric Mazurkewitz, an RA in Mountainview College. Not answering the door however, can have other consequences. What should you do when an RA knocks on your door?ДЄt the most you can let him or her in, and at the least you could try to hide. вЂUPD is called in to drinking/party situations when the students involved are not cooperating with staff member вЂ or if the staff member needs back-up due to the number of students involved or whatever is happening is making them uneasy.вЂ™ вЂAll RAs are instructed to call UPD whenever they suspect what they are smelling is marijuana,вЂ™ Hoefner said. вЂThese types of statements are justification, though, for a report to be written and a judicial follow-up to occur.вЂ™Дrinking in a dorm will no doubt get a student into trouble, but marijuana is dealt with differently, and will result in the University Police Department being notified. вЂRAs do not enter rooms unless invited,вЂ™ Grace Hoefner, the senior assistant director of Residential Life, said. Statements like вЂI smell weedвЂ™ or вЂI hear bottles hitting togetherвЂ™ may be part of the myths surrounding resident assistant culture, and students often worry that they will be followed by broken doors.Д«ut what many students donвЂ™t realize is that when dealing with RAs, much depends on permission. Many freshmen have entertained the idea of drinking in their dorm, and many have also suffered the consequences. Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of students living on campus quite like the sound of unwelcome knocking at the door.

You knock on my door