Missing Student

Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedure

March 2010

Policy

This policy, with its accompanying procedures, establishes a framework for cooperation among members of the university community aimed at locating and assisting currently enrolled students who reside in campus housing and are reported missing (as required by the 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act). A student shall be deemed missing when he or she is absent from the university and/or has been reported missing by another individual without any known reason.

All reports of missing students shall be directed to the Student Affairs Office which shall investigate each report. All students shall have the opportunity to identify an individual to be contacted by the university in case a student is determined to be missing. If a missing student is under 18 years of age, the Student Affairs Office is required to notify the parent or guardian of the missing student not later than 24 hours after the determination by the Student Affairs Office that the student is missing. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall have the responsibility to make the provisions of this policy and the procedures set forth below available to students.

Procedure

  • Anyone who suspects a student may be missing should notify the Student Affairs Office (858-3299) or the Student Life office (858-3993) immediately.
  • When a student is reported missing the Student Affairs Office shall initiate an investigation to determine the validity of the missing person report. If the report proves to be valid the Student Affairs Office shall:
    • If the missing student is under the age of 18, notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian as contained in the records of the university within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing.
    • Notify the individual identified by the missing student as the emergency contact within 24 hours of making the determination that the student is missing.
    • Notify the Minot Police Department within 24 hours after determining that the student is missing.
  • The Vice President for Student Affairs shall initiate whatever action he or she deems appropriate under the circumstances in the best interest of the missing student.
  • The Office of Student Affairs may also contact the student’s instructors if necessary or beneficial in the situation to the student and/or the instructors.

 

Student Contact Information:

Students are given the opportunity to confidentially designate emergency contact information at registration. This information is part of the university registration and is protected under FERPA. This information is accessible by housing officials and the Student Affairs Office.

Student Notification of This Policy

  • Included on the MSU Housing Office website.
  • Discussed at initial semester housing meetings.
  • Included in the annual Campus Security Report.
  • Sent to students by university e-mail.
  • Included in the annual paper version of the Student Handbook.

Student’s Name:  __________________________    Cell phone number:  __________________

Residents 18 years and older:

_____   I choose to provide emergency contact information

_____   I decline the option to provide emergency contact information

Residents younger than 18 years old:

You are required to provide custodial parent or guardian emergency contact information.

In the event of an emergency, please contact the following individual(s):

 

Name ________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature  ______________________________________________________________

Relationship ___________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________

Phone Number – Home: (____)_______________    Cell: (____)_______________