Missing Student Policy and Protocol

MISSING STUDENT POLICY AND PROTOCOL

Click here for the Clery Confidential Contact Form

Effective Date: October 1, 2010

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote the safety and welfare of members of the University of Maine (UMaine) community through compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (the HEOA). This protocol includes the official notification procedures of UMaine for missing students who reside in on-campus housing, in accordance with the requirements of HEOA.

II. Policy

It is the policy of UMaine to provide all students, including those residing in on-campus housing the option of identifying an individual (confidential contact person) to be contacted by UMaine in the event that the student is determined to be missing for a period of more than 24 hours, in addition to notifying any contact person designated by the student to UMaine.

III. Definitions

  1. Missing Student: For purposes of this policy, a student is determined to be missing when UMPD or other law enforcement agency determines that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours, without any known reason, that the reported information is credible, and that circumstances warrant declaring the person missing.
  2. On-Campus Housing: A residence hall or other residential facility for students that is located on UMaine’s campus. (34 CFR §668.41(a))
  3. Campus: For purposes of this policy, “campus” is defined as:
  1. Any building or property owned or controlled by UMaine within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area and used by UMaine in direct support of, or in a manner related to, the UMaine’s educational purposes including residence halls; and
  2. Any building or property that is within or reasonably contiguous to the area identified in paragraph 1 of this definition, that is owned by the University but controlled by another person, is frequently used by students, and supports institutional purposes (such as a food or other retail vendor). (34 CFR §668.46(a))

IV. Protocol: Missing Students Including Those Who Reside In On-Campus Housing

  1. If a member of the UMaine community has reason to believe that a student, including one who resides in on-campus housing is missing, or receives a report of a missing student, he/she shall immediately contact their supervisor and/or University of Maine Police (UMPD) at: (207) 581-4040.
  2. UMPD will then initiate its Missing Student Policy.
  3. Nothing in this policy/protocol is intended to preclude UMaine from determining that a student is missing before the student has been missing for a full 24 hours or initiating notification procedures as soon as it determines that the student is missing.
  4. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact may do so through the Office of the Vice President for Student Life. Students shall be given the opportunity to register confidential contact information by completing and submitting the Student Confidential Contact Form to the Office of the Vice President for Student Life. A student’s confidential contact information shall be accessible only by authorized campus officials, and will not be disclosed except to law enforcement in connection with a missing person investigation.
  5. A missing student report must be referred immediately to UMPD. If the student who is missing is under 18 years of age and not emancipated, UMaine must notify a custodial parent or guardian within 24 hours of determining that the student is missing, in addition to notifying the confidential contact person designated by the student. UMaine will notify the local law enforcement agency within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, unless the local law enforcement agency was the entity that made the determination that the student is missing.

V. Contact Information

A. UMaine Police Department

(207) 581-4040 (non-emergency number)

www.umaine.edu/police

B. UMaine Student Records

(207) 581-1288

www.studentrecords.umaine.edu

C. UMaine Student Life

(207) 581-1406

www.umaine.edu/studentlife

VI. Related Information

A. Clery Act

B. Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Public Law 110-315

 

VII. Approval

A. Drafted: August 25, 2010

B. Approved: September 30, 2010

C. Updated: October 29,2020