Missing Student Standard Operating Procedure

Purpose

Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) Fergus Falls is responsible for creating a missing student notification policy and a related procedure per the Higher Education Opportunity (HEO) Act of 2008. This applies to students who reside in on-campus housing and are determined to have been missing for a minimum of 24 hours.

Definitions

Missing student

A student who resides in on-campus housing on the Fergus Falls campus and has been determined to have been missing for a minimum of 24 hours. A student may be considered missing if the student’s absence is contrary to their usual pattern of behavior.

Procedure

It is the policy of M State Fergus Falls to actively investigate any report of a missing student who is enrolled at the College.

1. Members of the College community should immediately report missing students to one of the following:
   • Campus Security, 218-770-9861      
   • Fergus Falls Police Department, 218-998-8555
   • Director of Campus Life and Housing, 218.736.1635, housing@minnesota.edu
   • Submit a Missing Person Report online
2. Upon receipt of a missing student report, the director of campus life and housing or designee will consult with the vice president of academic and student affairs or designee regarding the notification of a missing student.
3. Upon report and within 24 hours of determining that a student is missing, the director of campus life and housing or designee will inform the local law agency with jurisdiction in the area where the student is missing. Notification will be made regardless of the student's age or status and whether they have identified a missing person emergency contact.
4. If applicable, the director of campus life and housing or designee will notify the missing student’s emergency contact, custodial parent or legal guardian within 24 hours after receiving the report or determining the student is missing.
   1. If a student residing in on-campus housing identified a missing person contact when completing the housing application or by contacting the campus life and housing office at housing@minnesota.edu, the missing person contact will be notified within 24 hours after receiving the report or determining that the student is missing. Contact information will be registered confidentially and will only be accessible by authorized college officials. If accessed, the information will not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel as a part of a missing person investigation. Notice to all other parties will be in compliance with applicable FERPA regulations.
   2. If the missing student is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated, the director of campus life and housing or designee will notify the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian, as well as any designated missing person emergency contact person within 24 hours after receiving the report or determining that the student is missing.

Responsibility

Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs or Designee

Review the missing student report with the director of campus life and housing or designee to determine if the student is missing.

Director of Student Life and Housing or Designee

• Consult with the vice president of academic and student affairs or designee to determine if a student is missing.
• Inform local law enforcement of the missing student.
• Notify the missing person’s emergency contact, custodial parent or legal guardian when applicable.

Supporting References

Minnesota State Community and Technical College Annual Security and Fire Safety Report