This policy establishes procedures for the College’s response to a report of a missing student, as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. This policy applies to students who reside in campus housing and may be utilized for students residing off-campus.

For purposes of this policy, a student may be considered a “missing person” if their absence is contrary to their usual pattern of behavior and unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• A report or suspicion that the student may be the victim of foul play
• The student has expressed suicidal thoughts
• The student is drug dependent
• The student is in a life-threatening situation
• The student has been with persons who may endanger the student’s welfare

During each semester registration process, students are provided the opportunity to designate an individual or individuals to serve as emergency contacts. In the event a student age 18 or older or who is designated as an emancipated minor is considered a missing person, the student’s emergency contact(s) will be notified by the College no more than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below. A designation of emergency contact(s) will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student.

In the event a non-emancipated minor is considered a missing person, the College is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no more than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below and regardless of whether the student designated the custodial parent or guardian as their emergency contact.

1. Any student or employee who has information that a student may be a missing person must notify the Dean of Students and CIA Safety + Security as soon as possible. The Dean of Students and CIA Safety and Security will lead the initial investigation of each report and will make a determination whether the student is missing in accordance with this policy.
2. The Dean of Students and CIA Safety + Security will gather all essential information about the student from the reporting person and from the student’s acquaintances (e.g., 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, social media accounts, etc.).
3. The Dean of Students will notify appropriate campus staff to aid in the search for the student (e.g., Residence Life staff, faculty, the student’s academic advisor).
4. No later than 24 hours after determining that a student is missing, the Dean of Students will contact the emergency contact (for students 18 and over and emancipated minors) or the custodial parent/guardian (for students under the age of 18) to determine if they are aware of the student’s location and to notify them that the student is suspected to be missing.
5. If the above actions are unsuccessful in locating the student, or if it is immediately apparent that the student is a missing person (e.g., witnessed abduction), the Dean of Students will contact local law enforcement as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing to file a missing persons report. At that time, the appropriate local law enforcement agency will take charge of the investigation. At CIA, from that point forward, all information regarding the missing student should be referred to the Dean of Students, who will share with local law enforcement as appropriate. CIA will assist local law enforcement with their investigation as appropriate.

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 person. Therefore, all communications relating to the investigation of a missing student will be handled by outside law enforcement authorities, who may consult with the College’s Director of College Communications and External Relations. Within FERPA guidelines, CIA may share directory information with law enforcement agencies and as a part of public statements. All inquiries to the College regarding missing students should be referred to the Director of College Communications and External Relations.

Prior to providing the CIA community with any information about a missing student, the Director of College Communications and External Relations shall consult with the Dean of Students and local law enforcement authorities to ensure that communications do not hinder the investigation.