Effective Date: October 1, 2021
Responsible Official: Vice President of Student Affairs
Responsible University Offices: Office of Student Affairs, Dean of Students Office
Review Period: 5 years
Relates to: Students
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that institutions of higher education establish a missing student notification policy for students who reside in university housing. In accordance with the requirements of the Act, students will be notified annually of this policy and the procedures for designating missing student contact information.
Definition
For purposes of this policy, a student may be considered to be a "missing person" if the person's absence is contrary to their usual pattern of behavior and unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances could include, but not be limited to, an unexplained absence, has expressed suicidal thoughts, or a report or suspicion that the missing person may be in a dangerous situation.
If You Suspect Someone is Missing
Immediately contact CWRU Police at 216.368.3333. CWRU Police and the Dean of Students Office will immediately initiate an investigation.
Information for Resident Students
At the beginning of each academic year the Senior Associate Vice President for Students Affairs and Dean of Students or designee will inform all students residing in university housing that the university will notify either a parent or an individual selected by the student not later than 24 hours after the time that the student is deemed to be missing.
The information provided to the resident students will include the following:
- Resident students have the option of identifying an individual to be contacted by the Senior Associate Vice President for Students Affairs and Dean of Students or designee not later than 24 hours after the time that the student has been determined to be missing. Students can register this confidential contact information through the Office of Residence Life or CWRU Police.
- Registration is voluntary, but all students residing in university housing must be advised of this service.
- If the resident student is under 18 years of age, and not an emancipated individual, the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian when a student who is the subject of a missing person report has been missing for more than 24 hours and has not been located.
Investigation
- Upon notification of a missing student, CWRU Police and the Dean of Students Office will immediately initiate an investigation and obtain all necessary information.
- Notification will occur when CWRU Police and the Dean of Students Office deem that a student who is the subject of a missing person report has been missing for more than 24 hours and has not been located.
- CWRU Police and the Dean of Students Office will coordinate the emergency contact notification in accordance with the student's designation.
- CWRU Police will notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency not later than 24 hours after the time that the student is deemed to be missing.