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Missing Student Policy

In accordance to 34 C.F.R. 668.46 (h) (l) (iv), when the Dean of Students Office receives a report from friends, family members, or associates that a student who resides in campus housing may be missing, the director of campus security and the dean of students will initiate an investigation.

The dean of students will notify the person(s) listed on the student's emergency contact form and the appropriate law enforcement agency regarding the situation within 24 hours of the college declaring the student missing. If a student would like someone other than those listed on his/her emergency contact form to be informed in this instance, he/she must notify the Dean of Students Office within two weeks of the start of each semester. Please note, this contact information will be registered confidentially, will be accessible only to authorized campus officials, and may not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel conducting a missing person investigation. The list of authorized campus officials includes: president, provost, dean of students, director of campus security, assistant dean of students, director of residence life, and assistant director of residence life. If the student is under the age of 18, the dean of students will automatically contact the student's parents/guardian.

Purpose

This SOP serves as standard operating procedure for a missing student.

Scope

The scope of this SOP applies to Westminster students that live in campus-owned residence halls.

References

Regulatory References

In accordance to 34 C.F.R. 668.46 (h) (l) (iv), when the Dean of Students Office receives a report from friends, family members, or associates that a student who resides in campus housing may be missing, the director of campus security and the dean of students will initiate an investigation.

Responsibilities

Regarding a missing residential student, they are to refer those details to either the director of campus security or the dean of students.

It is the responsibility of the director of campus security or the dean of students to initiate the investigation.

Definitions

  • Residential Student: a Westminster student living on campus
  • Authorized Campus Officials: president, provost, dean of students, director of campus security, assistant dean of students, director of residence life, and assistant director of residence life

Procedures

  1. An employee is informed of a missing residential student.
  2. An employee informs the director of campus security or the dean of students.
  3. The dean of students will notify appropriate persons, including law enforcement, within 24 hours.
  4. The dean of students discloses contact information of the missing student to law enforcement personnel to aid in the investigation.
  5. If the student is under the age of 18, the dean of students will automatically contact the student's parents/guardians.