Policy 01:146
Missing Student Notification

 

This policy is established by the University of Montevallo in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 1965 (amended 2008) and applies to all on-campus resident students at the University of Montevallo.

 

For the purpose of this policy, a student may be considered to be missing if the student’s absence from campus is contrary to his or her usual pattern of behavior and the university has reason to believe that unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances may include, but not be limited to, a report or suspicion that the student may be a victim of foul play; the student has expressed suicidal thoughts or may be in a life threatening situation; the student has exhibited behavior suggesting that the student is unable to care for himself or herself; or if the student is overdue returning to campus and is not heard from after giving a specific return time to family or friends. If a member of the university community has reason to believe that a student is missing, whether or not the student resides on campus, that individual should contact the university’s Department of Public Safety at (205) 665-6155. UM Public Safety will collaborate with the Division of Student Affairs, other university officials, and/or the appropriate law enforcement agency to make an effort to locate the student and determine his or her state of health and well-being. UM Public Safety will gather pertinent information about the student from the reporting person or others. Such information may include, but is not limited to, the student’s description, cellular phone number, clothes last worn, vehicle description, information about the student’s health or well-being, or an up-to-date photograph.

 

University officials also will endeavor to determine the student’s whereabouts by contacting friends, associates, faculty members, and/or employers of the student, and/or determining whether the student has been attending classes, scheduled organizational or academic meetings, and work. If the student is an on-campus resident, UM Public Safety may make a welfare entry into the student’s room. If the student resides off-campus, UM Public Safety may enlist the aid of the neighboring police agency having jurisdiction.

 

Notifications

For residential students and for students who live off-campus, notices will be made to each of the following individuals within 24 hours of UM Public Safety’s determination that the student is missing:

• The student’s parent or guardian as identified in the student’s emergency contact information. The university is required by law to notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian if the student is under age 18 and is not emancipated at the time he or she is determined to be missing. If the student is age 18 or over, notification may be provided to the student’s parent or guardian, in addition to any other person identified as the student’s designated emergency contact.

• Local law enforcement personnel.

• The student’s designated emergency contact (if any).

After the student has been located, UM Public Safety will attempt to verify the student’s state of health, well-being, and intention of returning to campus. When and where appropriate, a referral may be made to the Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and/or a community provider.

 

Designation of Emergency Contact Information

Students are given the opportunity through the university’s on-line portals to designate an individual to be contacted by the university if the student is determined to be missing or otherwise in the case of an emergency. The designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student. The contact information will be confidential and will be accessible only to authorized university officials or law enforcement personnel.

 

 

Approved 11/10