Missing Student Notification (Texas Tech University Lubbock Campus Only)

General Overview

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 set forth requirements for educational institutions regarding reporting, investigating, and making Emergency Notifications for any currently enrolled student living on campus believed to be missing.

Although students are under no obligation to notify the university of plans to spend time away from their residence, a student who resides in on-campus housing at Texas Tech, or lives in temporary accommodations while attending official university events, will be presumed to be missing when their reported absence is found to be inconsistent with established patterns of behavior and the deviation cannot be readily explained.

Additionally, any reported absence of 24 hours, or an absence of less than 24 hours wherein there exists possible evidence of foul play, will result in the same presumption. Campus officials, including law enforcement, the student's parent, guardian and/or designated confidential emergency contact person, will be notified. The intent is to leverage a coordinated effort between campus officials, law enforcement, family, friends and the broader community to ensure student safety.

Missing Student Notification Policies and Procedures

Texas Tech University's missing student notification procedures must go into effect within 24 hours of the determination that a student who lives in on-campus student housing has been missing for 24 hours. This does not preclude initiating notification procedures as soon as the institution determines a student is missing. The below information includes the policy and procedures that the university will follow in the case of a missing student report.

If a member of the Texas Tech community has reason to believe a student who resides in on-campus student housing has been missing for 24-hours, they should notify:

• Texas Tech Police Department | 806-742-3931 | 413 Flint Ave., Lubbock, Texas.
• Dean of Students Office | 806-742-2984 | Suite 203, Student Union Building 1502 Akron Ave. Lubbock, Texas.
• Any member of University Student Housing Staff over the residence hall the student resides in.

All missing student reports made to any of the offices listed must be referred immediately to the Texas Tech Police Department (TTPD) who will generate a Missing Person Report, initiate an investigation, and notify local law enforcement.

If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, TTPD or an official from the university must and will notify the student's custodial parent or legal guardian, the confidential emergency contact person if designated, and local law enforcement after TTPD has determined that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours.

Whether the student has identified a contact person, is above the age of 18 or is an emancipated minor, TTPD or an official from the university will inform local law enforcement within 24 hours that the student is missing.

Confidential Emergency Contact

As part of the yearly online signup process for a residence hall space, students have the opportunity to register a confidential emergency contact(s) and University Student Housing may periodically send out reminders. This confidential contact can be any person designated by the student, including friends, roommates, family members, co-workers, siblings or a significant other. If a student, regardless of age, has identified such an individual, TTPD or an official from the university will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing.

A record containing information about the confidential contact person will be maintained by Texas Tech University as a part of the student resident's file. This information will be kept confidential and only be shared with authorized campus officials or law enforcement personnel and will not be disclosed outside of a missing person investigation.

For information about how to register or update a confidential contact outside of the normal registration period, please contact University Student Housing at 806-742-2661.

University officials reserve the right to initiate any other action that may be deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the missing student and will work collaboratively with law enforcement officials until the student is located. Although not inclusive of all possible resources, Texas Tech University officials may utilize any of the following to assist in locating the student:

• Interviews of faculty, staff, students or known friends /acquaintances of the missing student.
• Campus facility surveillance video.
• Physical access to the missing student's room by "lock out key".
• Physical inspection of any accessible campus property including academic buildings, recreation facilities, parks, or common areas within residence halls.
• Student ID access logs, including building security access logs, dining plans, or other uses.
• Campus vehicle registration and parking enforcement databases and subsequent inspection of any vehicle found on campus property that belongs to the missing student.
• Campus e-mail & IT systems to determine the last login or applicable activity information.
• Student records, including judicial records.
• News media releases & publications.