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�鶹��ý recognizes the importance of safety for our on‐campus living communities.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the process for responding to reports of missing �鶹��ýs as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. This policy applies to WMU �鶹��ýs who reside in on‐campus housing, including on‐campus apartments.

Emergency contact information designation

1. Students age 18 and over or emancipated minors are given the opportunity when signing their residence hall contract or on-campus apartment lease to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by �鶹��ý no more than 24 hours after the time that the �鶹��ý is determined to be missing in accordance with procedures of this policy. A designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the �鶹��ý.
2. Students under the age of 18: In the event a �鶹��ý who is not emancipated is determined to be missing pursuant to the procedures set forth below, the University is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no more than 24 hours after the �鶹��ý is determined to be missing, in addition to notifying any additional contact person designated by the �鶹��ý.
3. Residence hall �鶹��ýs are given the opportunity to provide their emergency contact persons and telephone numbers when completing their residence hall contract.
4. Apartment residents are given the opportunity to provide their emergency contact persons and telephone numbers when completing their apartment lease.
5. All contact information provided by �鶹��ýs will be registered confidentially and this information will be accessible only to authorized campus officials. This information may not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation or as otherwise required by law.
6. The University encourages all �鶹��ýs to provide personal emergency contact information.

Official notification procedures for missing persons

1. Any individual on campus who has information that a residential �鶹��ý may be missing must notify the  immediately by telephone (269) 387-5555 or in person by going to the Department of Public Safety Building. The Department of Public Safety will gather all essential information about the residential �鶹��ý from the reporting person and from the �鶹��ý's acquaintances (i.e. description, clothes last worn, where the �鶹��ý might be, who the �鶹��ý might be with, vehicle description, cell phone records, class schedule, information about the �鶹��ý's physical and mental well-being, up-to-date photograph, etc.).
2. Appropriate campus staff will be notified to aid in the search for the �鶹��ý.
3. If the above actions are unsuccessful in locating the �鶹��ý, or it is immediately apparent that the �鶹��ý is a missing person (i.e. witnessed abduction), the Department of Public Safety will assume all facets of the investigation.
4. No later than 24 hours after determining that a residential �鶹��ý is missing, the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will notify the emergency contact for �鶹��ýs 18 years of age and older, or the parent or guardian for �鶹��ýs under the age of 18. Contact is contingent upon the correct emergency contact information being made available by the �鶹��ý.
5. Regardless of whether the �鶹��ý has identified a contact person, is above the age of 18, or is an emancipated minor, the Department of Public Safety will assume all facets of the investigation within 24 hours that the �鶹��ý is missing.