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Missing Persons Policy

Chaminade University of Honolulu takes student safety seriously. The following policy and procedures have been established to assist in locating missing Chaminade University students who reside in on‐campus housing. The purpose of this policy and procedures is to promote the safety and welfare of all Chaminade University students.

Each student residing in Chaminade University campus housing must identify and register confidential emergency contact information for an individual to be contacted by the university no later than 24-hours after the time that the student in question is determined missing. This information will be collected upon the student’s check-in to the residence halls. In the event a student is under 18 years of age, and has not been legally emancipated, the student’s parent/guardian will also be contacted.

If a member of the University community has reason to believe that a resident is missing for 24-hours, they should immediately notify Campus Security at (808) 735-4792. Security staff will generate a missing person report and initiate an investigation with the assistance of Residence Life & Housing staff.

If it is determined that the student is missing and has been missing for more than 24-hours, Campus Security or Residence Life & Housing staff will notify the Honolulu Police Department, and the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students will contact the resident’s confidential emergency contact or the resident’s parent/guardian if the resident is under the age of 18 and not legally emancipated, no later than 24-hours after the student is determined to be missing.

Missing Person Procedures

Missing person procedures are in place in the event a report is made regarding a missing student. They apply to resident students and students residing in non-University housing.

For the purposes of these procedures, a student may be considered to be a missing student if the student’s absence is contrary to his/her usual pattern of behavior and unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances could include a reasonable/reliable report or suspicion that the missing student may be endangered. Examples may include the missing person is the victim of foul play, is in a life-threatening situation, or has been with persons who may endanger the student’s welfare. Procedures are as follows:

  • Any and all reports of missing students shall be directed to Campus Security at (808) 735-4792.

  • The Director of Campus Safety will generate a missing person report and initiate an investigation with the assistance of University personnel as appropriate. The investigation may include but it not limited to:

    • Gathering essential information about the student

    • Making contact with the student via his/her cell phone and email address

    • Interviewing the person(s) who filed the report

    • Interviewing the student’s roommates, friends, and professors

    • Obtaining the student’s course schedule

    • Following up on leads given by those who are interviewed

    • Check access card logs (e.g., through Dining Services) to determine the last time the student’s Chaminade ID card was used, access logs to Chaminade email and/or Chaminade computer accounts, as well as any surveillance video from campus security cameras

  • If the Director of Campus Safety makes contact with the reported missing student, the Director will pass on the information to contact those that have expressed concern.

  • If the report is determined valid and credible, and the student has been missing for more than 24-hours, the Director will notify the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and submit a missing person report. This policy does not preclude the University from implementing the procedures described above in less than 24-hours if circumstances warrant a faster implementation.

  • The Vice President for Student Affairs will contact other senior University administrators as appropriate.

  • If the reported missing student is under 18 years of age and has not been emancipated, the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee, will notify the custodial parent or legal guardian that the student is believed to be missing no more than 24-hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the policy. 

If the reported missing student is 18 years of age or older, the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee will contact the Emergency Contact listed on the student’s Chaminade Health Form or in the University SharePoint Portal no more than 24-hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the policy.

Note: Emergency contact information submitted by a student upon enrollment will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student.

  • Once a reported missing student is found, the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee will work with the student to provide any necessary support.

Students and employees who want to make a report or aid in the search of a student should contact the Director of Campus Safety, who will work closely with HPD officers.

Student Notification of this Policy

In addition to informing resident students of this policy at the time they check in to a residence hall, the University will notify students of this policy and procedures through the following methods:

  • Posting it online within the Chaminade University Student Handbook

  • Discussing it with resident students by University Housing staff at the beginning of the academic year in residence hall meetings

  • Including the policy in the Guide to Residence Life

External Communications

In cases of a missing student, local law enforcement agencies may provide information to the media that is designed to obtain public assistance in the search for a missing student. Any media requests to the University will be directed to the Office of University Communications & Marketing.

Notification Procedures for Missing Persons Living Off Campus

For students who live off-campus in non-University housing, Campus Security will investigate any report of a missing student and take appropriate action. Non-residential students are highly encouraged to identify and register confidential contact information for an individual to be contacted in an emergency. This can be done via the Chaminade SharePoint Portal.

Upon notification from any person that a Chaminade University student may be missing, the university staff member receiving the information should refer the matter immediately to Campus Security at (808) 735-4792. The Security team will respond to reports of missing students in a timely manner. The Chaminade Security Team, in partnership with other critical university administrators and staff, will thoroughly investigate reports of all missing persons. If a student is not located, the Director of Campus Safety or other designated employee will file a Missing Persons Report with the Honolulu Police Department and contact any emergency contact persons listed.