Missing Student Protocol
Title:
Missing Student Protocol
Effective Date:
February 19, 1990
Responsible Office:
Student Affairs
Last Updated:
September 5, 2024
I. Scope
This protocol applies to all students and employees, including faculty. It applies to William & Mary as a whole university, including the Washington Center. This protocol applies when any residential student is missing or believed missing. For purposes of this protocol, a residential student is a currently enrolled student who resides in an on-campus residence hall under a housing contract or a student residing in designated housing while enrolled in a Washington Center program.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this protocol is to ensure an effective, cooperative university response to any missing student situation. This protocol complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) by establishing procedures for the university community regarding the reporting, investigation, and required emergency notification when a student residing in on-campus housing is determined to be missing (see 20 USCA section 1092; 34 CFR 668.46(h)).
III. Protocol
A. What you should do when a student is missing
If any student or employee has reason to believe a residential student is missing, they should immediately report this information to the William & Mary Police Department at 911 or 757-221-4596. Anyone who receives a missing student report should immediately contact the William & Mary Police Department. Law enforcement officials (including William & Mary police) will follow their own investigation procedures.
B. Designating a contact person and notifications that William & Mary will make
Each student has the option to designate a confidential contact at personalinfo.wm.edu. The university will contact the designated person within 24 hours of the time that a student is considered missing by the university. For students who are minors (under 18 and not emancipated), the university is obligated to notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) within 24 hours of receiving a report that the student is missing.
The university may also contact other individuals if deemed necessary to prevent harm to a student or others necessary to the investigation or otherwise appropriate under the circumstances.
IV. Authority & Amendment
This protocol, as amended, is approved by the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs & Public Safety.
The policy was amended on September 5, 2024 to update the Washington Center name and titles of individuals with responsibilities in this policy. The website for designating a confidential contact replaced a fillable form.
