Missing Student Notification Policy
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Document Number: STUD--138
Revision #: 2.0
Document Owner: Dean of Students
Date Last Updated: 06/12/2018
Primary Author: Dean of Students
Status: Approved
Date Originally Created: 05/24/2012
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General Description
Description:
Information about the Missing Student Notification Policy relative to University policy.
Purpose:
Delineation of policy and procedure.
Scope:
All faculty, staff, students, and administrators
Responsibility:
Dean of Students
Safety and Security
VP of Facilities and Infrastructure
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Requirements
Relevant Knowledge:
Current University policy
Federal statutes
Local statutes
State statutes
Terms and Definitions:
Additional training
Corrective Action
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Policy Provisions
1. Definitions
A. Residential Student - For purposes of this policy, a student who resides in on-campus housing under a housing contract and is currently enrolled at the college.
B. Missing - For purposes of this policy, a residential student is presumed missing if he or she is overdue in reaching home or campus for more than 24 hours past their expected arrival and a check of their residence supports that determination. A residential student may be considered missing if he or she is overdue in reaching home, campus or another specific location past their expected arrival, additional factors lead college staff to believe he or she is missing, and a check of their residence supports that determination.
2. Notification to Residential Students
A. Residential students are to be informed that they have the option to identify an individual to be contacted by the institution no later than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined missing.
B. Residential students, who are under 18 years of age and not emancipated individuals, are to be informed that the college is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no later than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing.
C. Residential students are to be informed that the college will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency within 24 hours after the time that the student is determined missing.
D. Residential students are to be informed that they have the option to confidentially identify an individual, and his or her telephone number(s), to be contacted by the institution no later than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined missing. The Office of Residence Life will collect and maintain the confidential contact information. The student is responsible for ensuring that the contact information is up-to-date and accurate.
3. Procedures for Reporting and for Investigating Missing Students
A. Any college employee who receives a report that a student is missing, or has independent information that a student is missing, must immediately report the information or evidence to the Dean of Students, the Office of Residence Life, the Executive Director of Facilities and Safety, or to Campus Security. If Campus Security is initially contacted, they will notify the Dean of Students, the Executive Director of Facilities and Safety, and the Office of Residence Life, whose staff will determine whether the student is a residential student.
B. If the student is not a residential student, Campus Security will conduct a preliminary investigation in order to verify the situation and to determine the circumstances which exist relating to the reported missing student. If Campus Security determines that the student should be considered missing, it will contact the relevant outside law enforcement authority and provide the relevant information. All pertinent law enforcement agencies, including, if known, those operating in the student’s normal routes of travel or hometown, will be notified and requested to render assistance; all law enforcement agencies involved will receive routine investigation status reports during the course of the investigation. If Campus Security determines that student should be considered missing, the person making the initial report will be encouraged to make an official missing person report to local Law Enforcement.
C. If the student is a residential student, the Residence Life Staff, with assistance from Campus Security, will conduct a preliminary investigation in order to verify the situation and to determine the circumstances which exist relating to the reported missing student.
1. A staff member will attempt to contact the missing student via his or her telephone.
2. If the missing student cannot be reached by telephone, two staff members (one [1] from Residence Life and one [1] from Campus Security) will visit the room of the student in question to verify their whereabouts and/or wellness, and, in some cases, deliver a message to contact a parent or family member who is searching for them.
3. If the missing student is not at the room, but it is occupied, the Residence Life staff will attempt to gain information on the student’s whereabouts and/or wellness from questioning the occupants.
4. If there is no response when the staff members knock on the door of the room or there are occupants who do not know of the missing student’s whereabouts, Residence Life and Campus Security staff will enter into the room in question, by key if necessary, to perform a health and safety inspection. The staff members will take note of the condition of the room and look for visible personal property (wallet, keys, cell phone, clothing, etc.) which might provide clues as to whether the missing student has taken an extended trip or leave from the residence hall.
5. If the missing student is not found in the room, the Residence Life staff will attempt to gain information on the student’s whereabouts from roommates, other members of the residential community, or other friends. The Residence Life staff will also attempt to acquire additional phone numbers for the missing student (if not already on file) and use them to initiate contact. Campus Security will obtain the missing student’s class schedule and go to the scheduled class to talk with Professors.
6. At any step in the process Residence Life staff members will immediately report any suspicious findings to Campus Security and appropriate local law enforcement agencies.
7. If all of these steps do not provide Residence Life or Campus Security staff with an opportunity to speak with the missing resident or to learn his or her whereabouts, appropriate local law enforcement agencies will be contacted to investigate further.
8. If the missing student is determined to be under the age of eighteen, Residence Life staff will notify the Dean of Students so that contact will be made with the student’s parents within 24 hours. If the missing student is determined to be over the age of eighteen, Residence Life staff will notify the Dean of Students so that contact will be made with the student’s confidential contact within 24 hours.
9. If these steps provide Residence Life, Campus Security, or the Dean of Student Affairs staff with an opportunity to speak with the missing student, verification of the student’s state of health and intention of returning to campus will be made. If needed, a referral will be made to the Counseling Center office. The Division of Student Affairs shall contact Campus Security and appropriate local law enforcement agencies to document that a missing student investigation was begun and apprise them of the student’s state of health and well-being.
10. If no contact can be made then the staff of the college will move forward with filing a missing person’s report.
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Performance Evaluation
Performance Metrics:
Compliance with federal mandate
Compliance with standard policy and procedure
Consequences:
Further training
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Subject Experts
The following may be consulted for additional information.
Dean of Students
Director of Residence Life and Greek Affairs
VP of Facilities and Infrastructure