About Lipscomb
MISSING STUDENT POLICY
Policy Statement
Lipscomb University is committed to providing students, faculty and staff with a safe and secure environment. We provide appropriate responses when notice is provided that a student is missing.
Reason for the Policy
The University has adopted this policy in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2009, 20 U.S.C. 1092(j), section 488 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, and to provide a structure for reporting and responding to the notice of a missing student.
Applicability of the Policy
The requirements of this policy apply to all University administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
Policy Elaboration
At the beginning of each academic year, the University will notify all students of the right to identify an individual to be contacted by the University in the event that the student is missing. Students may update their emergency contact information online throughout the year at http://campuslife.lipscomb.edu/page.asp?SID=41&Page=9546. In addition, students living on campus are prompted to provide emergency contact information when they submit their housing application. Additionally, the University will notify the parents/guardian of any student under the age of 18 in the event that such a student is determined missing.
University officials, administrators, faculty, and staff, are required to notify Lipscomb Security & Safety if they obtain information that a residential student is or may be missing. Students are urged promptly to report to a Residence Life staff member (for students living on campus) or directly to Lipscomb Security & Safety if a student living on campus is missing or thought to be missing.
Definitions
Missing Student: A student will be considered missing if a University official receives information that the student failed to show up at events to which the student has committed, the student cannot be located, and no contact has be made by the student.
Procedures
Upon notification that a student is or may be missing, Lipscomb Security & Safety shall respond through the exercise of reasonable professional judgment to investigate and make a determination as to whether the student is missing. This may include but is not limited to checking the student’s room on campus, class schedule, contacting friends, faculty or other know associates of the student, locating the student’s vehicle and calling the student’s cell phone. If the Director of Lipscomb Security & Safety determines that a student is or may be missing, he/she shall notify any other appropriate law enforcement authority and the Vice President of Student Development. The Vice President of Student Development or designee shall then notify the Associate Deans of Campus Life and any other appropriate University office.
If it is determined that a student has been missing for 24 hours, the Vice President of Student Development or designee shall contact the student’s emergency contact.
Effective Date
This policy was approved by the Presidents on October 12, 2011.