Missing Person Policy

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for Oklahoma Baptist University to respond to and assist with reports of missing students as required under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

This policy applies to students who reside in campus housing, including off-campus housing rented by the University.

For the purposes of this policy, a student may be considered to be a "missing person" when absent from the University for a period of more than 24 hours without any known reason or which may be contrary to usual patterns of behavior. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: reports or suspicions of foul play, suicidal thoughts, drug use, any life threatening situations, or when a student may be known to be with persons who may endanger the welfare of the student.

All resident students shall have the opportunity to designate an individual or individuals to be emergency contacts in case the student is determined to be missing. The contact will be notified by the University no more than 24 hours from the time the student is determined to be missing. The emergency contact will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student. If a missing student is under 18 years of age, the University will notify the parent or guardian no later than 24 hours from the time the student was determined to be missing by the University.

The University will also notify the Shawnee Police Department when the student is determined to be missing.

Procedure

Any and all reports of missing students shall be directed to the University Police Department at (405) 878-6000, which will conduct an investigation to determine whether the student is missing, in accordance with this policy.

An investigation will be initiated to determine the validity and credibility of the missing person report. The University Police and Residential Life Department will gather all essential information about the student from the person making the report and from the student's acquaintances. The information to be obtained includes, but is not limited to, personal descriptors, clothing last worn, locations where student may be, persons or witnesses who may have information, vehicle descriptions, and information regarding the physical and mental well-being of the student, up-to-date photographs, class schedule, or any other information that will be of assistance in locating the missing student.

Notification will be made to the individual(s) identified by the missing student as the confidential emergency contact upon determination that the student is missing. All confidential emergency contact information will be on file with Residential Life.

In the event the student is under 18 years of age or is not emancipated, the University Police Department shall make notification to the custodial parent or guardian no later than 24 hours from the time the student was determined to be missing by the University.

If the listed actions are proven to be unsuccessful in locating the missing student, notification will be made to the Shawnee Police Department to have the missing person entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

The University Administration will be notified in accordance with this policy.

Communications
Oklahoma Baptist University, Student Handbook
Oklahoma Baptist University, Website