Procedure To Locate a Campus-Based Missing Student

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Campus-based students are those students whose activities are primarily based on campus.

A campus-based missing student is any student who:

  1. Is reported to have an unexplained absence from a mandatory class activity or examination. Course Directors are required to notify the Office of Student Services and the appropriate Academic Dean immediately if a student is absent from a mandatory activity and has not contacted the Course Director with a reason for the absence. Course Directors must notify Student Services of any student absence from a mandatory class/rotation/event, regardless of whether or not the student is living in student housing; or
  2. Is reported to have a prolonged unexplained absence from campus, either from academic activities or from student housing. Resident Assistants and fellow students should direct their concerns to the Manager of Campus Housing, who will contact the Office of Student Services; or
  3. has been reported to have been the victim of possible criminal activity.

When the Office of Student Services receives notice that a student is missing, but not believed to be a victim of possible criminal activity, the following procedure will be followed:

  1. The student's registered telephone number will be obtained from the CARS system and the student will be called. The student will also be sent a text message and email via University student email and (if available) personal email. If there is no response, the Office of Student Services will proceed to Step 2. The Office of Student Services will continue to call, text and email the student while the procedures outlined below are conducted.
  2. It will be determined if the student lives in campus housing. 
    1. If the student lives in housing, the following procedure will be followed:
      1. The Office of Safety and Security (Security) will be contacted.
      2. The Manager of Campus Housing, Dean of Students or other representative of the Office of Student Services, in company with a member of the Office of Safety and Security, will proceed to the student's on-campus housing unit to determine if the student is present. If the student fails to respond after the University representatives have identified themselves and have knocked on the door three times, the door will be opened with a master key to determine whether the student is present in the unit.
      3. The Office of Campus Safety and Security will make a copy of the ID photo of the student available to Security.
      4. Security will search campus locations to find the student. These locations may include the library, classrooms, student center and gymnasium. Security will use student vehicular registration to determine whether the student's car is parked on campus.
      5. Academic Departments will be contacted to determine if the student has been attending class. The Office of the Academic Dean of the college in which the student is enrolled will be notified that the student is missing.
      6. Building access logs will be examined to determine when the student last used their ID card to access campus grounds and to enter campus buildings.
      7. Information Technology Services may be asked to provide records documenting student use of the University network server and student email program.
      8. If the student is not found after implementing the procedures outlined above, the individual listed on the Emergency Contact form will be contacted. The student’s College Administration will also be contacted.
    2. If the student does not live on campus, the following procedure will be followed:
      1. The Office of Safety and Security will be contacted.
      2. The Office of Campus Safety and Security will make a copy of the ID photo of the student available to Security.
      3. Security will search campus locations to find the student. These locations may include the library, classrooms, student center and gymnasium. Security will use student vehicular registration to determine whether the student's car is parked on campus.
      4. Academic Departments will be contacted to determine if the student has been attending class. The Office of the Academic Dean of the college in which the student is enrolled will be notified that the student is missing.
      5. Building access logs will be examined to determine when the student last used their ID card to access campus grounds and to enter campus buildings.
      6. Information Technology Services may be asked to provide records documenting student use of the University network server and student email program.
      7. If the student is not found after implementing the procedures outlined above, the individual listed on the Emergency Contact form will be contacted. The student’s College Administration will also be contacted.
  3. If the location of the student has not been determined after a 24-hour period, the University will notify local police authorities for a Welfare Check. If extenuating circumstances come to light during the investigation that raise issues of concern, local authorities may be brought before 24-hours have elapsed. The student’s University Administration will also be notified.

If the Office of Student Services receives notice that a student is missing and believed to be a victim of possible criminal activity, Student Services will contact the MWU Office of Safety and Security, who will contact local authorities.