Wellesley's missing student policy outlines first steps the College will take to identify and notify a student's emergency contacts should she be reported missing.
See also the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act, Section 485(j) [20 U.S.C. 1092j] regarding missing person procedures.
Each Wellesley College student residing on-campus may identify to the College an individual to be contacted by the College in the event that the student is determined to be missing, in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise specified by the student, the College will consider the parent/guardian or other primary emergency contact provided to the College by the student to be the person to be contacted in the event the student is determined to be missing. For each student under the age of 18 and not emancipated, the College is required to notify the custodial parent or guardian not later than 24 hours after a student is determined to be missing.
A student is determined to be missing when a report comes to the attention of the College and the College determines the report to be credible. College officials receiving a missing persons report relating to a student are required to notify the Wellesley College Campus Police immediately to investigate and make a determination that a student who is the subject of a missing report has been missing for more than 24 hours and has not returned to campus. If such a determination is made, the College will notify appropriate law enforcement agencies not later than 24 hours after the time a student is determined to be missing, or immediately if circumstances of criminality or safety are determined to be involved.
Within 24 hours of a determination that a student is missing, the Dean of Students Office will notify that student’s emergency contact, as provided to the College through Banner Self-Service (or, as appropriate, other contact or custodial parent or guardian). Only authorized College personnel have access to this contact information, and they will use it only in accordance with the provisions of this policy and the Higher Education Opportunity Act.
Wellesley College policies are subject to revision without notice.