It is the policy of Glen Oaks Community College to investigate any report of a missing student who is attending classes at GOCC and who resides in on-campus housing.
A student will be deemed missing when reported absent from the College and/or the student housing building without any known cause and/or for a reasonable period of time. A reasonable period of time may vary based upon student’s routine and habits, punctuality, reliability, reports of suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol use, or if the student might be in the company of individuals who could endanger the student’s welfare or place the student in a life threatening situation.
All reports of missing students must be directed to the Campus Security Officer at 269-294-4312; in these instances, the Campus Security Officer will take the lead in investigating each report and make a determination whether the student is missing in accordance with this policy. At that time, the Campus Security Officer will contact local law enforcement within 24 hours after the College receives a report that a student is missing.
All students have the option to identify an emergency contact person or persons who will be notified within 24 hours in the event a determination is made by local law enforcement that the student is missing. This contact information may be added through the Student Housing Office. It is the student’s responsibility to regularly update any changes to existing contact information through the Student Housing Office. This information will be registered confidentially. Only authorized campus officials and law enforcement officers may have access to this information.
If a missing student is under 18 years of age, and not an emancipated individual, the College will notify a custodial parent or guardian of the missing student no later than 24 hours after the determination by law enforcement that the student is missing.
The Devier Student Suites are configured for apartment-style living, and there is no formal procedure or prescribed timelines for monitoring whether students are present in their assigned student suites. Student welfare and safety is paramount to the College; however, the College recognizes and makes known its limitations in obtaining accurate and timely information on the whereabouts of students.
Presented to Board of Trustees and adopted– September 14, 2017.