Notification of Missing Students

Reporting a Missing Student

Any member of the university community who has reason to believe that a student who resides in on-campus housing has been missing should immediately notify Public Safety at (415) 422-2911. It is not necessary to wait until a student has been missing for 24 hours before making a report. For purposes of this policy, a student is considered missing when the student’s whereabouts are unknown and unexplained for a period of time that would be regarded as highly unusual or suspicious by persons familiar with the student’s plans, habits, or routines.

Non-Residential Students

Any member of the university community who has reason to believe that a non-residential student is missing should immediately notify the local law enforcement agency and Public Safety. For reporting a missing non-residential student, see the “Police Department Information” section.

Student’s Option to Identify Persons to be Informed

Students are encouraged to periodically review and update their emergency contact information in myUSF.

In addition to registering an emergency contact, students residing in on-campus housing have the option to identify, confidentially, an individual to be contacted by Public Safety in the event the student is determined to be missing. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact person can do so through the USF Housing application form. The student’s confidential contact information will be accessible only by authorized university officials and Public Safety as appropriate.

Initial Institution Response

In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the University of San Francisco has developed a missing student report notification policy for students who reside in on-campus housing and have been determined, after investigation by Public Safety, to be missing for 24 hours. The investigation will be initiated when one of the following university officials (or their designees) receives a report that a student is potentially missing:

  • Vice President of Student Life (or designee)
  • Senior Director/Chief of Public Safety
  • Senior Director of Student Housing
  • Director of Community Living

Once an investigation is initiated, the university will notify the designated emergency contact person in the Personal Information section of myUSF as soon as possible (and within 24 hours) once the determination has been made that the student has been unreachable via personal contact, telephone, email, or any other means of communication and/or contact. The student’s custodial parent or guardian will also be notified if that person is not the designated emergency contact and the student is under the age of 18 and not an emancipated individual. Additionally, if a student has identified a confidential contact person, USF will notify that individual as soon as practicable and no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing.

Public Safety will generate a missing person report and initiate an investigation. After investigating the missing person report, Public Safety will notify SFPD and the student’s emergency contact as soon as practicable.

Nothing in this policy restricts the university from making earlier notifications. As necessary, the university may also contact other individuals to prevent harm to a student or others or to assist in the investigation, or anyone who may otherwise be appropriate under the circumstances.

How to Report a Missing Student

During business hours (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), any member of the university community who has reason to believe a residential student is missing should immediately report this information to:

Department of Public Safety
University Center 5th Floor
(415) 422-4201

Office of the Vice President of Student Life
University Center 5th Floor
(415) 422-5330

Office of Student Housing
University Center 5th Floor
(415) 422-6824

Office of Community Living
University Center 5th Floor
(415) 422-6824

After business hours or on the weekends, the individual should contact Public Safety at (415) 422-4201. Any missing student report received by the Office of Student Housing, the Office of Community Living, or the Office of the Vice President of Student Life will be immediately referred to Public Safety.