ES5010 - Missing Student

1. Institutional Regulation
   
   The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for DMACC’s response to reports of missing students, as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008.
    
2. Scope
   1. This policy applies to students who reside in DMACC operated campus housing or student housing physically located on DMACC property operated by an outside contractor.
3. Definitions
   1. For purposes of this policy, a student may be considered to be a “missing student” if the student’s absence is contrary to his/her usual pattern of behavior and unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances could include, but not be limited to, a report or suspicion that the missing person may be the victim of foul play, has expressed suicidal thoughts, is drug dependent, is in a life-threatening situation, or has been with persons who may endanger the student’s welfare.
4. Procedures
   1. Designation of Confidential Emergency Contact Information. Students will be given the opportunity annually to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by the College in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
      1. Boone Campus per housing contract;
      2. Other student housing located on DMACC property per housing contract.
         1. A designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student.
         2. This information will be maintained confidentially and will be made available only to the DMACC Boone Campus Provost’s Office and Executive Dean of Student Services.
         3. Students, who do not designate a contact person, should be aware that local law enforcement will be immediately notified in the case that they are believed to be a ‘missing student.’
   2. Official notification procedures for missing students
      1. Any individual on campus who has information that a residential student may be a missing student must notify the appropriate campus office (Boone Campus - Provost Office; Ankeny Campus Executive Dean of Student Services) as soon as possible and in no event, later than 24 hours after making this determination.
      2. The contacted DMACC official will gather all essential information about the residential student from the reporting person and from the student’s acquaintances (description, clothes last worn, where student might be, who student might be with, vehicle description, information about the physical and mental well being of the student, an up-to-date photograph, class schedule, etc.). Appropriate campus staff will be notified to aid in the search for the student and the confidential contact person listed on the DMACC Housing Application will be notified.
         
         If the above actions are unsuccessful in locating the student or it is apparent immediately that the student is a missing person (e.g., witnessed abduction), no later than 24 hours after the Provost’s Office (Boone Campus)/Executive Dean of Student Services determines that a residential student is missing:
          
      3. The Provost’s Office/Executive Dean of Student Services will contact the appropriate local law enforcement agency to report the student as a missing person and the local law enforcement agency will take charge of the investigation; and
      4. The Provost or Executive Dean of Student Services will notify the emergency contact that the student is believed to be missing.
   3. Campus communications about missing students.
      1. In cases involving missing students, law enforcement personnel are best situated to provide information to the media that is designed to elicit public assistance in the search for a missing student. Therefore, all communications regarding missing students will be handled by outside law enforcement authorities, who may consult with the Provost/Executive Dean of Student Services. All inquiries to the college regarding missing students, or information provided to any individual at the College about a missing student, shall be referred to the Provost/ Executive Dean of Student Services, who shall refer such inquiries and information to law enforcement authorities.
      2. Prior to providing the DMACC community with any information about a missing student, the Provost/Executive Dean of Student Services shall consult with the President’s Office and with local law enforcement authorities to ensure that communications do not hinder the investigation.