Investigation of Missing Student Report

Missing Student Investigation Policy & Procedure 

Purpose:
To establish policy and procedures to respond to reports of a missing student who resides in the Mohawk Valley Community College Dormitory Corporation Residence Halls, in compliance with Article 129-A Section 6434 of the New York State Education Law (NYSED) and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008.

Definitions:

A Student is defined as persons currently registered for College credit/equivalent courses occurring through or at Mohawk Valley Community College, either full or part-time. 

A "Missing Student" is defined as any Mohawk Valley Community College student residing in the MVCC Residence Halls whose absence is uncharacteristic or suspicious, with no contact with roommates, friends, family, or college officials, and whose absence has been reported to Residence Life or the Department of Public Safety by anyone concerned for their welfare.

Notification and Reporting Requirements

  1. Any person, including but not limited to students, staff, or family, who suspects a student may be missing should immediately notify the Residence Life staff or the Department of Public Safety.
  2. The Department of Public Safety and Residence Life personnel are responsible for determining whether a student is indeed missing.
  3. Immediate Alert to Utica Police Department: If there is any concern that foul play or a mental health emergency may be involved, the Department of Public Safety will notify the Utica Police Department immediately to ensure rapid response and support.

Emergency Contact and Confidential Contact Options

  1. In addition to registering a general emergency contact, each student has the option to designate a confidential contact specifically to be notified if the student is confirmed missing.
  2. In the event the student is under the age of 18, and is not legally emancipated from parent/guardian, a legal parent or guardian will also be notified, in addition to the confidential contact.
  3. Students wishing to provide a confidential contact, or update the information already on file, may do so in writing from their official MVCC student email account to reslife@mvcc.edu.
  4. The confidential contact information will be accessible solely to authorized college officials and law enforcement, strictly for investigative purposes.
  5. Notification of the option to provide a confidential contact will be provided in the Student Handbook, at Residence Hall Check-in and during the Residence Hall registration process.

Actions Upon Report of Missing Student

  • Immediate: The Department of Public Safety and Residence Life will initiate an internal investigation, to gather as much information as possible about the missing student with the goal of locating the student.  This will include, but not be limited to:
      • Review of meal plan usage
      • Review of door access software
      • Review of campus car registration
      • Interviews with friends and roommates
      • Review of security camera footage
      • A physical check of the student's assigned room; this includes key entry by Residence Life Staff as authorized in the Room and Board Agreement
      • Outreach to the student (if contact information is available)
      • Outreach to the student’s employer (if applicable)
  • No later than 24 Hours After Initial Report of Missing Student: The Department of Public Safety will notify:
  1. Local law enforcement (within 24 hours of the initial report), unless an immediate notification to the Utica Police Department was previously issued based on Section 1 above.
  2. Designated emergency contact or confidential contact, if identified.  If the student is under 18 and not emancipated, a parent or legal guardian will also be contacted.

Investigation Procedures

  1. Coordination with Law Enforcement: Once notified, the Department of Public Safety will collaborate closely with local law enforcement to support a full investigation. All information gathered by the Department of Public Safety, including surveillance footage, ID Card records, and witness statements, will be provided to the authorities.
  2. Residence Hall Coordination: Residence Life staff will support the investigation by providing information as requested by either law enforcement agency.

Information Release

  1. The Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, will be the designated point of contact responsible for all communications with the student’s emergency contacts.  This will include parent/guardian if the student is under age 18 and not emancipated.
  2. The MVCC Marketing and Communications department will oversee communication if there’s a need to inform the broader college community about a missing student, while respecting the student’s privacy.
  3. Only verified and essential information will be disclosed to prevent panic or unwarranted concerns.

Training and Awareness

  • All Residence Life staff, Department of Public Safety personnel, and Residence Hall staff will undergo annual training to stay current with missing person protocols and to ensure awareness of the steps in identifying, reporting, and handling a missing student case.
  1. Non-Residence Halls: Reports of missing non-residential students should be reported to the Public Safety Office for assistance.