When it comes to on-campus housing at The University of Memphis, South Hall isn't the only thing that's been smoking this year.
Over the last year, Carpenter Student Housing Complex has been the most frequent location of drug offenses on campus. As of April 1, six of the 21 drug offenses at U of M since April 2010 had occurred at Carpenter, and three of those offenses happened over the last five weeks. After Carpenter Complex, Mynders Hall saw the second most offenses, with four.
Just last week, campus police said they recovered a bag of marijuana near Carpenter in a parking lot west of Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School. According to a police report, a parent at the Lipman School found the contraband and notified school officials, who called U of M police.
Bruce Harber, director of public safety, said Police Services, judicial and ethical programs, counseling services and residence life work together for drug prevention.
Police Services enforces regulations and sends copies of reports to appropriate authorities. Any drugs recovered by officers are processed at the Memphis Police Department's Property and Evidence Room at 201 Poplar, where police confirm evidence of illegal substances.
Peter Groenendyk, director of Residence Life and Dining Services, said the reoccurring incidences are on his radar.
"We have zero tolerance for any drug-related incident," Groenendyk said.
Former Carpenter Complex resident Koketi Allen, junior health services administration major, said living in Carpenter is just like having an apartment, and residents are free to do what they want — as long as they are not caught and authorities are not notified.
"No one knows who's in your apartment," Allen said. "Almost everyone has company who spends the night, especially the opposite sex."
Since Carpenter simulates an apartment complex, residents are not required to check in their guests, though residents of all other U of M dormitories must do so.
However, consequences are rendered when regulations are broken. A violation of any campus housing rule results in a written warning, and multiple violations could lead to eviction.
Visiting hours at Carpenter Complex end at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
RECENT CARPENTER COMPLEX CANNABIS VIOLATIONS
Feb. 25
Residence Life staff observed a female student smoking inside Carpenter's suite 304, with windows open and blinds up. When staff members opened the door, they said the smell of marijuana was overwhelming, according to a police report.
Four students were charged, according to a U of M police report, but only one, DeMarcus Woodard, was a resident of Carpenter. The two female students resided in the Living and Learning Residential Complex, and the other male student lived in South Hall.
March 4
Marijuana was discovered in suite 303, room 3, of the complex during a room safety check. U of M student Wrangler Ward was charged with simple possession and casual exchange of marijuana.
March 18
Resident assistant Emily Stephens reported the smell of marijuana coming from a Carpenter Complex apartment. Stephens unlocked and entered the apartment after the residents did not respond.
Inside the apartment, Rashad Howze, assistant area coordinator for Carpenter Complex, recovered a small cigar wrapper containing a green, leafy substance from inside the toilet.
Kimberly Farmer, 34, admitted to smoking marijuana in the apartment and then flushing it. Farmer, who is not a student at The U of M, was arrested and cited for simple possession of marijuana. She was also placed on trespass status from The U of M.
April 4
A bag of marijuana was recovered from a gutter in the Central parking lot near Carpenter. The case is still under investigation, and further details were not available as of Wednesday.
