Missing Student Procedures

The Office of Housing considers the safety and security of student residents to be a primary concern. In addition to registering a general emergency contact, students residing in on-campus housing will have the option to complete a “missing person contact” form as a part of the check-in process. This form is separate from the emergency contact form so that the student may privately identify individuals to be contacted by MSU in the event the student is determined to be missing. A student’s missing person contact information will be accessible only by authorized campus officials and law enforcement in the course of the investigation.

In the event a student resident is considered to be missing for more than 24 hours, the Office of Housing will notify MSUPD who will initiate an investigation and coordinate subsequent actions. The official determination that the student is missing can be made at any time by MSUPD. Upon MSUPD determination that the student is missing, MSUPD will notify the student’s contact(s) within 24 hours. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, MSU will notify the student’s parent or legal guardian.

Source:  U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, 2016 Edition, Washington, D.C., 2016.