Missing Student Notification Policy

Policy Approval Authority President
Responsible Division University Administration
Responsible University Office NIU Department of Police and Public Safety
Responsible Officer(s) Chief of Police
Contact Person Jason John
Primary Audience Faculty
Staff
Student
Administration
Date Submitted to Policy Library 07-13-2021
Status Active
Last Review Date 03-10-2022
Policy Category/Categories Campus Safety / Security
Governance / Administration
Student Affairs

Purpose

This policy is in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).

Policy Narrative

If a member of the university community has reason to believe that a student is missing they shall immediately notify the NIU Department of Police and Public Safety (“the Police”) by dialing 911 or calling the non-emergency telephone number at 815-753-1212.

A student may be classified as missing if a student’s absence is contrary to pattern of behavior and/or unusual circumstances may have caused their absence. Such circumstance could include, but not limited to, a report or suspicion that the student is a victim of foul play, has expressed suicidal thoughts, has concerns about drug and/or alcohol use, is in a life-threatening situation, or has been with persons who may endanger the student’s welfare.

After the report of a missing student is made, the Police will investigate the report and, if the facts determine that student is missing, the Police will generate  a report by entering relevant student data into an appropriate database, and notify additional law enforcement agencies, if necessary.

Within 24 hours after determination that a student is missing, the Police shall notify the student’s missing person contact(s). Every student has the ability to identify missing person contact(s) via MyNIU. This information will be registered confidentially and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials. It may not be disclosed except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.

If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, the university must notify the student’s parent or legal guardian, in addition to any other designated contact person, within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing. Regardless of whether the student has identified a contact person, is above the age of 18, or is an emancipated minor, the Police will notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the area the student went missing within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing unless the local law enforcement agency was the entity that made the determination that the student is missing.

Contact Us

Policy Library
815-753-5560
policy-library@niu.edu 

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