Missing Student Policy and Procedures

Kettering University takes student safety very seriously. To facilitate our students’ safety, the “Missing Student Policy and Procedures” will assist us in locating Kettering student(s) and, based on facts and circumstances known to the University, who are determined to be missing. These policies and procedures are believed to comply with the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by Public Law 110-315 in August 2008 (20 USC 1092(j)).

Anyone who believes a Kettering University student to be missing should report their concern to Campus Safety, Residence Life (if the student lives in Thompson Hall) or the Office of Student Life. Every report made to campus officials will be investigated. Depending upon the circumstances presented to University officials, parents of a missing student may be notified. In the event that parental notification is necessary, the Dean of Students, or designate, will place the call.

General Procedure

  • The Kettering official receiving the report will collect and document the following information on the Missing Student Form.
    • The name, relationship and contact information (i.e. Phone # or email) of the person making the report.
    • The date, time and location the missing student was last seen
    • The general routine or habits of the suspected missing student, e.g., often visits friends who live off-campus, often returns home, any recent changes in behavior or demeanor, etc.
    • The missing student’s cell phone number, if known by the reporter. *Please remind the person filing the report that if they hear from the missing student to contact us again.
  • The Kettering official will then bring the Missing Student Form to the Dean of Students, Campus Safety or Residence Life.
    • The Kettering University official receiving the report will inform the Dean of Students and Campus Safety.
    • The Dean of Students will determine if the Provost, the President and the Chief Public Relations Officer should be informed.
  • Upon notification from any person that a student may be missing, Kettering University officials may use any or all of the following resources to assist in locating the student:
    • Call the student’s room (if living in Thompson Hall).
    • Check the student’s Thompson Hall room.
    • Print a current student ID photo or other photo of the student (via IT, Campus Safety and/or Facebook).
    • Verify with IT the last known location (via card reader) of where the student was on campus. This could include any on campus location and last use of meal plan and Rec Center. Ask the Information Technology staff to provide electronic logs for the purpose of determining the last login, access, and use of the Kettering University IT network.
    • Call and text the student’s cell phone and call any other telephone numbers on record.
    • Send the student an email.
    • Contact the Wellness Center to see if student is/has been in contact with them.
    • Contact the Registrar’s Office for class schedule. Send someone to the class if it is in session.
    • Check all possible locations mentioned including, but not limited to, Dining areas, BJ’s Lounge, library, residence hall lounges, Campus Center spaces, Mott Center, Rec Center, Academic Building, etc.
    • Contact or call any other on-campus or off-campus friends or contacts that are made known. This could include checking a student’s social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.
    • Ascertain the student’s auto make, model, and license plate number. Campus Safety will check Kettering University parking lots for the presence of the student’s vehicle.

If the missing student is under the age of 18 years and not an emancipated individual, within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, the Dean of Students must notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian as identified in the University’s records. If the missing student is over the age of 18 years or an emancipated individual, within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, the Dean of Students must notify the individuals found in the emergency contact information that is stored in Banner. If the emergency contact information stored in Banner is absent or unusable, the appropriate law enforcement agency will be informed after the student has been missing for 24 hours.

  • Kettering officials will report the information to the Flint Police Department within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing. If, in the course of gathering the information described above, foul play is evident or strongly indicated, the Flint Police Department may be contacted immediately. If it is necessary to contact the Flint Police, the University will follow its procedures for managing this type of incident.
  • This policy and its procedures will be incorporated into the Campus Safety and Student Life websites, integrated into Resident Assistant training and included in Campus Safety’s annual security report.
  • At the beginning of each academic term, we require all Kettering students to confirm or update the emergency contact information stored in Banner. The information is to be used only in emergencies, including the suspicion of missing students. Thompson Hall residents complete an Emergency Contact Form as part of their check in paperwork at the beginning of each term.