POLICY AND PROCEDURE
1. Introduction:
Federal law requires Teachers College to establish procedures for use if a student who resides in campus housing is believed to be missing. Any member of the community who believes that a student is missing is encouraged to contact Public Safety immediately so the Office may investigate the apparent disappearance. Any College official with reason to believe that a student is missing must contact Public Safety immediately.
2. Procedure:
If members of the TC community believe that a student has been missing for 24 hours, it is critical that they report that information to the Office of Public Safety (OPS) by calling (212) 678-3333. OPS will generate a report and will attempt to locate the student or determine why the student is presumed missing. This investigation is accomplished using both on-campus and off-campus resources. The Office of Public Safety will coordinate with the Office of Residential Services, the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, and any other appropriate offices.
If the resident student cannot be located within 24 hours, or if the circumstances warrant earlier intervention and investigation by law enforcement, the Office of Public Safety will contact the local NYPD precinct and will assist them as requested. OPS will contact the student’s designated confidential missing person contact as soon as practicable and no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing.
If the missing student is under the age of 18 and un-emancipated, TC will also notify the student’s parent or legal guardian as soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing, and any other designated contact person within 24 hours., Regardless of whether the student has identified a contact person, is above the age of 18 or is an emancipated minor, TC will inform the NYPD that the student is missing within 24 hours.
In addition to registering an emergency contact, students residing in on-campus
housing have the option annually to identify an individual to be contacted by OPS in
the event the student is determined to be missing more than 24 hours. If a student has
designated such an individual, TC will contact that person as soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. When students are informed of their option to provide a confidential contact, they are advised that their confidential contact information will only be accessible by authorized campus officials. This information may only be disclosed to the New York City Police Department or other bona fide law enforcement agencies and only in the furtherance of a missing person investigation.
Responsible Office: Public Safety
Effective Date: January 2015
Last Updated: September 29, 2022