POL 11.25.01 - Missing Residential Student Policy

About this Policy

Authority:
Chancellor
Responsible Office:
Office of Sponsored Research and Programs
Date Established:
06-07-2022
Last Revised:
06-07-2022

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This policy establishes the procedures for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) community regarding the reporting, investigation, and required emergency notification when a student residing in on-campus housing is determined to be missing.  A student shall be deemed missing when he or she is reported absent from the university for more than 24 hours without any known reason.

2. IDENTIFYING A CONTACT PERSON

2.1 All UNCP students residing in on-campus housing (including residence halls, Village Apartments, and Courtyard Apartment) must register a contact person with University Housing and Residence Life to be notified by UNCP if UNCP determines that the student is missing for more than 24 hours. This contact information will be registered confidentially and will not be disclosed except to authorized university officials and law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation. If a student is under 18 years of age and not an emancipated minor, UNCP is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian in addition to notifying any additional contact person designated by the student.

3. PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFYING A MISSING STUDENT

3.1 Any person who believes that a student who resides in on-campus housing is missing should immediately report this information to Housing and Residence Life or to University Police at 910-521-6235. Housing staff upon notification of a missing student will immediately contact University Police.  In the event another university officer or employee other than a member of university housing or University Police receives a report of a missing student, that person shall immediately notify University Police of the report received.

3.2 Upon the report of a possible missing student, the University Police will immediately initiate a missing person investigation in accordance with North Carolina law and UNCP University Police Internal General Order 500-13 (Missing Persons). If, in accordance with university policy, it is determined that a student is missing, University Police will take the following actions:

3.2.a. University Police will notify the student’s contact person within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing;

3.2.b. if the student is under 18 years of age and is not an emancipated minor, University Police will notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian and any other designated contact person within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing;

3.2.c. University Police will inform any other appropriate law enforcement agencies within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing; and

3.2.d. University Police and any other appropriate law enforcement agencies will continue to investigate the missing person report.

3.3 Nothing in this policy prevents UNCP from making notifications earlier than noted above if deemed appropriate under the circumstances. Nothing in this policy shall restrict UNCP from contacting other individuals if deemed necessary to prevent harm to a student or others, necessary to the investigation, or otherwise appropriate under the circumstances.

Related Policies:

Additional References: