Missing Student Policy
Designation of Missing Person Contact(s) by Students
In accordance with Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Section 485(j), 20 U.S.C. 1092(j), 34 C.F.R. 668.46, regarding missing students, each student residing in Ohio University on-campus housing has the option to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by the university not later than 24 hours after the time that OUPD determines the student to be missing. If the student determined to be missing is under the age of 18 and not emancipated, the university will notify both the contact(s) designated by the missing student and the student’s custodial parent or guardian.
The missing student’s contact(s) may be the same individual(s) as the student’s general-purpose emergency contact but does not have to be. The missing person contacts will be maintained confidentially; only authorized campus individuals and law enforcement officers in furtherance of a missing person investigation may have access to the information. Students are responsible for updating their missing person contact(s) through the Office of Housing and Residence Life, as described in more detail below.
Notification to Students and Collection and Maintenance of Information
Two weeks prior to the start of fall semester, the Office of Housing and Residence Life will, via email, notify students residing in university on-campus housing that they have the option to register a missing student contact or contacts. In that email, students will be directed to visit their Housing Self-Service page to register their missing person contact(s). To register the contact(s), students (1) select “Personal Information” then select “Addresses/Contact” and then the pencil icon to edit the Confidential Missing Persons Contact, (2) complete the “Confidential Missing Persons Contact” fields, then (3) save the information by selecting the “save” button. The Office of Housing and Residence Life will maintain each student’s missing person contact(s) until the student changes the contact(s).
Procedures for Reporting and Notification Regarding Missing Students
Individuals who have reason to believe that a student is missing should immediately report their concern to the Ohio University Police Department. OUPD will take appropriate investigative action, in accordance with department policy. For missing persons under 21, entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database and other actions must occur immediately.
As soon as reasonably possible OUPD will notify the Dean of Students or their designee of a missing student. Upon notification from OUPD that a student is missing, the Dean of Students (or designee) will:
- Make contact with one or more of the missing person contact(s) identified by the student. The university will notify the general-purpose emergency contact if the student has not formally declared a missing person contact.
- If the missing student is an unemancipated student under the age of 18, the Dean of Students (or designee) will also notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian.