The University of Sioux Falls takes student, employee and guest safety seriously. To this end, the following policy and procedure has been developed in order to assist in locating students, employees, or guests of USF who, based upon the facts and circumstances known to USF, are determined to be missing. This policy is in compliance with Section 488 of the Higher Education Act of 2008. Missing-person reports often result from a person changing his/her routine without informing roommates, friends, or co-workers. Anyone who believes a person to be missing should report his or her concern to Campus Safety and Security. Every report will be investigated once a person has been missing for 24 hours. Depending on the circumstances presented to USF officials, parents, emergency contact, spouse, or family of the missing person will be notified. The Student Life Office will contact parents if necessary. At the beginning of each academic year, students will be asked to provide, on a voluntary basis, emergency contact information in the event he/she is reported missing while enrolled at USF. The student is responsible for updating this information as it changes.
Missing Persons Process
1. The University official receiving the report will collect and document the following information at the time of the report: • The name and relationship of the person making the request. • The date, time and location the missing person was last seen. • The general routine or habits of the suspected missing person (e.g. visiting friends who live off- campus, working a job away from campus) including any recent changes in behavior or demeanor. • The missing person’s cell phone number (if known by the reporter).
2. If the missing person is a student, the University official receiving the report will contact the Director of Campus Safety & Security in order to update them on the situation and to receive additional consultation. The Director of Campus Safety & Security will determine when the Director of Housing & Student Life needs to be contacted. The Director of Campus Safety & Security and the Director of Housing & Student Life will determine if/when the Management Team needs to be contacted.
3. Upon notification from any person that a student may be missing, USF may use any or all of the following resources to assist in locating the student. • Go to the student’s residence hall room or off-campus home. • Talk to the student’s residence assistant, roommate, and floor mates to see if anyone can confirm the missing student’s whereabouts and/ or confirm the date, time and location the student was last seen. • Secure the current student ID (from security) or other photo of the student from a friend. • Call and text the student’s cell phone and call any other numbers on record. • Send the student an e-mail. • Check all possible locations mentioned by the parties above including, but not limited to, library, residence hall lounges, student commons, fitness center, etc. The Campus Safety & Security Office and the Student Life Office may be asked to assist in order to expedite the search process. • Contact or call any other on-campus or off-campus friends or contacts that are made known. This could include checking the student’s social network. • Determine the student’s car make, model and license plate number. A member of the Campus Safety & Security Office will also check the USF parking lots for the presence of the student’s vehicle.
4. The USF Information Technology staff may be asked to obtain network usage information in order to determine the last log in and/ or access of the USF network.
5. Once all the information is collected and documented and the Director of Campus Safety & Security (or designee) is consulted, USF staff may contact the local police to report the information. If in the course of gathering information as described above, foul play is evident or strongly indicated, the police will be contacted immediately. If it is necessary to contact the local or state authorities, police procedure and protocol will be followed by the University.