The student told officials in the Housing department he was only growing organic mushrooms.

It turned out to be more than that after police arrived.

Officers found marijuana, rolling papers, a wooden pipe and syringes.

The occupant told officers he didn’t know the marijuana was in the closet.

Upon questioning, he admitted smoking it, but only for “pain relief.” The story continued to unravel as he rattled on about how his experiment with the mushrooms had gone awry.

The student ended up being banned from housing. In addition, he had to undergo counseling.

It’s a wilder tale than most, but one common thread runs through it: marijuana.

It’s not uncommon for housing to find it in students’ rooms or apartments.

From fall 2009 to fall 2011, 59 situations involving marijuana have arisen in campus housing.

Wayne Schields, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life, said the drug is a fairly common problem, one he deals with on a regular basis.

“Each case varies depending on the amount of marijuana, or if there had been a previous incident,” he said. “The punishment can range from removal of housing to community service or taking an online class.”

Over the years all kinds of punishment have been meted out, ranging from a verbal reprimand to even expulsion from college.

“All students make mistakes,” Schields said. “It’s important that they learn from them.”

Schields said  the drug policy starts with the resident assistants.

“After the RAs notify me, the police are summoned, and we fill out an incident report,” he said. “The students can choose to have a hearing with me or the dean of students.”

Campus police is notified each time drugs are found. According to Housing, documents obtained through Open Records requests, most cases involve marijuana.

“Basically anything more than a stem or seed we notify the police, “Schields said. “The police take the drugs along with any other paraphernalia.”

Police utilize a test kit. A liquid turns blue if it is marijuana.

Police Chief Dan Williams said he has noticed an increase in marijuana in the residence halls over the past year.

“We usually don’t have to go great lengths to find it,” he said. “Sometimes we walk in ready to search the whole dorm, but the marijuana or paraphernalia is sitting on top of a desk or inside of a drawer. We usually find very minute amounts, nothing to ruin a student’s life.”

Once, two men were caught smoking pot on the roof. A resident assistant locked a window that gave them access to the rooftop and summoned police. Records show one was given one year probation and ordered to take a marijuana 101 online class.

Punishment varies. One student was given two years probation, ordered to be screened at the Counseling Center, assigned a five-page paper and directed to meet with Schields weekly. Some are told, “Any further violation can/will result in removal from Housing.”

Sometimes students end up getting expelled from the university.

“It is possible for a student to be expelled,” Schields said. “The dean of students has that authority.”