The health and safety of our students is one of our most important concerns. It is this concern that underlies Wittenberg’s commitment to and compliance with the Higher Education Act’s requirement for colleges and universities to establish a missing person’s policy and to inform students of that policy. When it is determined that a student is missing, the policy involves the notification of the appropriate university officials, law enforcement, and where permitted, the student’s parents/guardians or other persons so designated by the student.

If you believe a student is missing you should notify Wittenberg Police/Security and the Dean of Students Office immediately and provide as much information as possible. These offices will undertake an immediate investigation and make efforts to contact the student, his/her friends, acquaintances, and professors, in an attempt to locate them. It is often the case that students who are reported missing have simply altered their routine without informing friends and family members.

If it is determined that a student is missing Wittenberg Police/Security or the Dean of Students will begin calling the persons designated as the emergency contact by the student on Wittenberg’s Portal. In no circumstance will the notifications be made later than the maximum 24 hour requirement after the time that the student is determined missing that is mandated by federal law.

The Higher Education Act requires institutions of higher education to provide students the option of designating a confidential contact person who is not necessarily a parent or legal guardian who the institution may contact if the student is deemed missing. At the beginning of each academic year students will be directed to the portal to make any changes and updated annually. The emergency contact person designated by the student will become the primary contact person during the investigation. If no contact person is designated the institution reserves the right to contact parents or legal guardian.