Missing Student Procedure

All students have the option to identify a “confidential contact:” an individual to be contacted by College officials in the event the student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. If a student has identified such an individual, College officials will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. Students who wish to identify a confidential contact can do so by completing the information on the “Student Emergency Information” provided by Saint Mary’s College upon application. Students are responsible for updating the College with this information as necessary.

If a member of the College community has reason to believe that a student is missing, or receives a report from another party that a student is missing, they should immediately notify the Department of Campus Safety (925-631-4282), the Office of Residential Experience (925-631-4236), or the Dean of Students (925-631-4238), whether or not the student resides on campus. All reasonable efforts will be made to locate the student to determine their state of health and well-being. 

If the student is a resident of campus, Campus Safety may conduct a welfare check entry into the student’s room. If the student is an off-campus resident, Campus Safety will enlist the aid of the police agency having jurisdiction. 

Concurrently, College officials will endeavor to determine the student’s whereabouts through contact with friends, associates, and/or employers of the student. College officials will try to determine whether or not the student has been attending classes, labs, recitals, and scheduled organizational or academic meetings, or appearing for scheduled work shifts. If located, verification of the student’s state of health and intention of returning to the campus will be made. When and where appropriate, a referral will be made to campus and/or community resources. 

If not located, notification will be made to the student’s emergency contact on file to determine if they know of the whereabouts of the student. The emergency contact is gathered from information submitted at the time of application. Notice will also be made to the Moraga Police Department for on-campus residents and the appropriate law enforcement agency for off-campus residents, within 24 hours of receiving the initial report. The original reporting party will be assisted to make an official missing person report to the law enforcement agency, if the reporting party desires. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, College officials will notify the student’s parent or legal guardian immediately after it is determined that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours or overnight, whichever is shorter. 

Campus Safety will cooperate, aid, and assist the primary investigative agency in all ways prescribed and allowed by law.