(Updated September 2023)
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) takes student safety seriously and has established the following policy if a currently enrolled student living in campus housing is reported missing. This policy is a good faith effort to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), 20 USC⤠1092 (j).
A student will be deemed missing when it has been established that they have been absent from the College and have been reported by an individual to be missing for a period of 24 hours or more. Reports of students missing should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs or Campus Safety. After a missing student report has been made, the College will attempt to locate the student. If the student cannot be located, the Confidential Missing Person Contact or the emergency contact person will be notified. If the student is under the age of 18, and not an emancipated individual or they have failed to provide a Confidential Missing Person Contact or emergency contact information, their parent or guardian will be notified. In addition, local law enforcement will be notified that the student is missing within 24 hours of the initial report. Students also have the option to declare a Confidential Missing Person Contact to be used if they are reported missing and can do so through the Office of Student Affairs.
Student Contact Information
- Residential students are asked to provide two emergency contact names each year as part of their housing application. This information is protected by FERPA and is accessible by the Office of Student Affairs and other appropriate officials in an emergency.
- Students may designate a Confidential Missing Person Contact to notify in a missing person investigation, by visiting the Office of Student Affairs. This information would only be used if the student is deemed to be missing.
Procedure
Notification:
Anyone who suspects a student may be missing should notify Campus Safety and/or the Dean of Students immediately.
The following information will be collected:
- Contact Information and relationship to the missing student
- Name and vital information about the student reported to be out of contact.
- The date, time, and location the missing student was last seen.
- The general routine or habits of the suspected missing student (e.g. – visiting friends who live off-campus, working in a job away from campus) including any recent changes in behavior or demeanor.
- The missing student’s cell phone number (if known).
Once a report has been made that a student is missing, Campus Safety and the Dean of Students will work together to investigate the situation.
When a student is reported missing the two offices shall:
- Initiate an investigation to determine the validity of the missing person report that may include:
- Call the student’s cell phone number
- Go to the student’s room
- Talk to the student’s Resident Assistant, roommate, and floor mates to see if anyone can confirm the student’s whereabouts and/or confirm the date, time, and location the student was last seen.
- Secure a picture of the student.
- Call student at any other numbers on record.
- Send the student an email.
- Check all possible locations mentioned by reporting parties including, but not limited to: library, residence hall, fitness center, studios, classrooms, and cafeteria.
- Contact any other known friends to see if student has made contact with them. This could also include social networking sites.
- Contact instructors regarding recent class attendance/absences and any recent questionable behaviors.
- Determine if the student has a car and if it is currently parked in the parking structure.
- Have security investigate if the ID has been used since the student was reported missing.
- Contact student’s Confidential Missing Person Contact or emergency contact to see if they have been in contact with the student
- Notify the President and Provost.
- Notify the Confidential Missing Person Contact or emergency contact of the missing student within 24 hours of the initial report that the student is missing.
- If the student is under the age of 18, and not an emancipated individual or has failed to provide specific the Confidential Missing Person Contact or emergency contact information, notify the student’s guardian or parent as listed in the college’s records within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing.
- Notify the Detroit Police Department within 24 hours after determining that the student is missing.
Student Notification of this Policy
The CCS Missing Student Policy will be:
- Posted on the College’s website.
- Discussed during the mandatory housing meetings in the beginning of the semester.
- Included in the Housing Information Packet.
- Included in the College’s online Student Handbook.
- Sent to all students, faculty, and staff via CCS email in September of each year through the CCS Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report and Consumer Information Disclosure.