8.17 / Missing Students

Effective: February 01, 2009Last Revised: August 08, 2017

  1. Purpose

    The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to situations where the University becomes aware that a student is absent for a certain length of time.

  2. Preamble

    The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that certain universities establish a missing student notification policy for students residing in on-campus housing.

  3. Policy

    1. All students living in university managed housing must provide confidential contact information to the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) Director or designee for an individual they would like contacted in the event they are deemed a missing person by the University Police Department. Each student will be responsible for keeping the confidential contact information updated and current. The security of the contact information will be maintained by the HRL Director or designee and stored in HRL's management software in a location separate from their emergency contact information. This data shall be collected each time the student applies for housing; which they must do every year. If a student needs to update this information at any time, the student may contact the Office of Housing and Resident Life to do so. Students' contact information will be registered confidentially and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials, and will not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.

    2. If an individual has concerns that a student living in University managed housing has been missing for 24 hours, that individual should contact the Wichita State University Police Department at 316-978-3450. Students living in University managed housing may also report their concerns to any HRL staff member (Resident Assistant, Residence Life Coordinator, or Desk Assistant) or call the Office of Housing and Residence Life at 316-978-3693. HRL staff members shall immediately report this information to Wichita State University Police Department. A student living in University managed housing will not be considered missing if they have provided information about their intended whereabouts. A student living in University managed housing will not be considered missing if they are gone during recognized University holidays and/or breaks.

    3. If the University Police Department's investigation determines that a student for whom a report has been filed has been missing for more than 24 hours, the University Police Department will notify other law enforcement entities as necessary and the HRL Director or designee. The HRL Director or designee will notify the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee to determine how best to make contact in accordance with paragraph 4 of this policy statement.

    4. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and not emancipated, the University is required to contact the missing student's parent[s] or guardian[s] within 24 hours of the report being filed. If the missing student is emancipated or 18 years of age or older, the University will contact the confidential contact person provided by the student pursuant to paragraph 1 above, also within 24 hours of the report being filed.