Missing Students Policy

Emerson College takes the safety and well-being of its students seriously. On-campus students may confidentially identify an individual to be notified within 24 hours following an official determination that the student is missing. The Office of Housing and Residence Life collects this information during the on-campus move-in process, and students may update or change emergency contact information at any time by contacting the Office of Housing and Residence Life. In addition, all students may provide the College with confidential contact information that may be used to reach the student in the event of an emergency. Any confidential contact information that students provide to college under this policy will be accessible only to authorized campus officials and will not be disclosed by the College except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing persons investigation.

All members of the Emerson community are encouraged to notify the Police Department (extension 8888 from a campus phone or 617-824-8888 from off-campus and cell phones) immediately when they believe a student is missing. The College, acting through its various departments, offices, and employees, shall notify the Police Department immediately in all cases of missing persons reported to any employee of the College. In all cases, the Police Department will notify the Dean of Students directly of any missing student report.

The Police Department will investigate the circumstances of the student’s absence. If the Police Department officially determines that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours following its receipt of a missing persons report, it will notify appropriate external law enforcement agencies and the missing student’s emergency contact within 24 hours following its determination. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated minor, the College will notify the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian immediately.