Office of Residence Life Missing Student Protocol

In keeping with federal law, 20 U.S.C § 1092j, the Office of Residence Life will initiate the following missing student notification policy.  This policy is designated for those students living within the University Housing that is overseen by Residence Life.  In the event of a missing student, the Office of Residence Life will also work directly with the University of Pittsburgh Police Department.  The purpose of having a listed Emergency Contact is to be able to verify cases in which a person may not be missing but has voluntarily left his or her residence.

1. Each student living within the residence halls has the opportunity to list an Emergency Contact by completing an Emergency Contact form available at the Office of Residence Life.  The student should notify the Emergency Contact that he or she has been designated as an Emergency Contact.  This information will be maintained in Office of Residence Life records that will be immediately accessible by University staff who will implement this policy.  In the event of a determination that the student is missing, the University will attempt to notify the listed Emergency Contact within 24 hours.
2. At any point during a student's enrollment, he or she may choose to register or change Emergency Contact information with the University by notifying the Office of Residence Life.  This information is confidential but may be released to the University Police and University staff as necessary to carry out the purposes of this policy.
3. Residence Life staff will immediately contact the University of Pittsburgh Police Department when a student is reported missing.
4. The University of Pittsburgh Police will be responsible for filing all related missing person reports with other agencies as may be required and conduct an investigation.
5. No later than 24 hours after a student is reported missing, the University of Pittsburgh Police or its designee will be responsible for contacting the appropriate Emergency Contacts as established above.
6. The University of Pittsburgh Police will notify a parent or legal guardian no later than 24 hours after a student is determined to be missing if a student is under the age of 18.
7. Residence Life staff will serve as support personnel when a student is determined missing and make appropriate contacts within the University (Counseling Center, Dean of Students, academic dean of student's school, and University Police).