Missing Person Notification Policy

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Missing Person Notification Policy

General Requirement -- The Federal law under (34 CFR 668.4 6) requires that an institution that provides any on-campus student housing facilities must include a statement of policy and procedures regarding missing student notification. This statement will help fulfill this requirement and provide important information on how the campus community should respond to these matters.

General Notification Procedures -- If an on-campus resident student is assumed to be missing, the individual making this assumption should immediately follow the procedures outlined.

Contact the VCC Campus Safety & Security office at (614) 382-1159 or extension 406, 407 or 538 from a campus phone to make a report. These numbers operate on a 24/7 basis.
The Campus Safety & Security personnel receiving the notification will immediately contact the necessary persons, including, but not limited to:
- The missing student's Resident Director
- The Director of Student Housing
Likewise, if an on-campus resident student is assumed to be missing and the individual making this assumption contacts a member of the Student Life staff, the staff member will immediately contact Campus Safety & Security and other necessary individuals as indicated in item #2.

Specific Procedures -- These scenarios represent the majority of missing person cases involving resident students that may be reported on our campus.

Student missing less than 24 hours - with no known emotional/mental health, medical problems or suspicions of foul play:

In cases where no known factors as indicated above are prevalent there will only be a preliminary fact gathering inquiry. The Resident Director should periodically contact friends and or other relevant persons who may be aware of their whereabouts over the next 24 hour period, in an attempt to locate the student. The Campus Safety & Security Department should be contacted for awareness purposes and to determine if further action should be considered.

Student missing 24 hours or more - regardless of known emotional/mental health, medical problems or suspicions of foul play:

If the person missing is still not located within 24 hours, Campus Safety & Security Department and Dean of Students will launch a thorough investigation and contact the Columbus Police Department. The investigation may include, but will not be limited to, contacting friends and family of the individual for assistance and information, searching College property and the local geographic areas such as the village and local parks, sending out an all-points bulletin through the police, etc. (see next scenario for further search details).

Student missing less than 24 hours - with known emotional/mental health, medical problems or suspicions of foul play:

If the person missing has any of these factors present, this may make them a threat to themselves or others and an immediate attempt to locate the missing student must be made. The investigation should include the following positions and/or departments:

Campus Safety & Security Department
Columbus Police Department
Resident Director
Director of Student Housing
Director of Student Life

The investigation may include, but will not be limited to, contacting friends and family of the individual by using the student's emergency contact number for assistance and information, searching the College property and local geographic areas such as the community and local parks, and sending out an all-points bulletin through the police.

Additional resources to assist in locating the student may also include:

Going back to the student's room or resident hall to make sure that they have not returned to the location.
Talking to the student's RA, roommate, and floor mates to see if anyone can confirm the missing student's whereabouts and/or confirm the date, time, location the student was last seen.
Secure a current photo of the student.
Call and text the student's cell phone.
Send the student an e-mail.
Check all possible locations mentioned by the parties above including, but not limited to, library, residence hall lounges, student common areas, fitness center, etc.
Contact or call any other on-campus or off-campus friends or contacts that are made known. This could include checking a student's social networking sites such as Face book and Twitter.
Assess the student's VCC computer and student account by working with Computer Services to determine any recent activity on it.
Ascertain the student's car make, model and license plate information. Campus Safety & Security will check campus parking lots for the presence of the student's vehicle.