Handbook of Operating Procedures

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“University”) complies with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, which requires that any institution of higher education that participates in any Title IV program and that maintains an on-campus housing facility must establish, for students of the institution who reside in such housing facility, policy and procedures for notification regarding missing students.

Students have the option to identify a confidential contact person to be registered with the University.  The confidential contact person will be  contacted within 24 hours of a determination that the student is missing, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section III below.  For purposes of this policy, the confidential contact person information must be provided to the office of the Director, University Housing.  Students may register such information in person with the office of the Director, University Housing during normal business hours.  Such designations will remain in effect until such time as the student changes or revokes the designation, is no longer enrolled as a student at the University, ceases to reside in the residential facilities, or otherwise no longer qualifies as a “student. This information will be accessible only to authorized campus officials and law enforcement agencies, as listed in the procedures below, and it may not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of the missing student investigation.

For purposes of this policy, a student shall be determined to be missing upon the receipt of a credible missing person report by one of the persons or organizations listed in the procedures set forth in III.A.    

Notification to a confidential contact person designated by a student who has been determined to be missing shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section III.B. 

II. DEFINITIONS

Residential facilities: University-owned on-campus residential facilities located on the university’s campus.

Student: any student of the University who is lawfully residing in the residential facilities and has been previously identified in writing to the Office of University Housing as a University student, with proof thereof.

III. PROCEDURE

A.        Reporting Missing Students

Any individual who has information that a student may be missing should immediately report that information to one of the authorized persons or organizations listed below.  Such reports should include whether the student has been missing for more than 24 hours:

1. The University of Texas Police - Houston (“UTP-H”) (713-792-2890)
2. The Dean of the student’s respective school:

School of Dentistry	713-486-4151
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences	713-500-9850
McGovern Medical School	713-500-5010
School of Biomedical Informatics	713-500-3900
Cizik School of Nursing	713-500-2002
School of Public Health	713-500-9050
School of Public Health – Austin	512-391-2536
School of Public Health – Brownsville	956-755-0605
School of Public Health – Dallas	972-546-2924
School of Public Health – El Paso	915-747-8514
School of Public Health – San Antonio	210-276-9017

3.  The Office of Student Affairs (or comparable department) of the student’s respective school:

School of Dentistry	713-486-4151
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences	713-500-9850
McGovern Medical School	713-500-5116
School of Biomedical Informatics	713-500-3591
Cizik School of Nursing	713-500-2100
School of Public Health	713-500-9032

4.  Director, University Housing (713-500-8400).

B.        Investigating a Missing Student Report 

The missing person report will be immediately referred to UTP-H if they have not already been notified. UTP-H will investigate the missing person report and will consider such factors as whether the student has been absent for a prolonged period of time from the University campus and facilities, whether such absence is contrary to the student’s known usual pattern of behavior, and whether there is any known explanation for such absence.  Due to the unique nature and dynamics of the University, its respective schools and programs, and the various academic, clinical or research activities that may be undertaken by a student, the University recognizes that it may be challenging to ascertain accurately whether a student is actually missing.  All relevant circumstances will be considered in the investigation, including any known medical conditions, any evidence of foul play and other factors that could bring into question the student’s safety or welfare. UTP-H will alert other local law enforcement agencies as it deems appropriate or necessary during the course of its investigation.

UTP-H will undertake to gather all essential information about the student from the reporting person, the student's known acquaintances, University personnel, fellow students, and official University information sources.  To the extent available, such information may include a physical description of the student, cellular phone number, potential location(s) of the student, persons who may be accompanying the student, vehicle description, a current photograph, a class schedule, when the student was last known to have attended class or work, last use of any University access card, and whether any contact with the student has been attempted or made using text messaging, phone, email, or any other traceable communication methods. 

If the student cannot be located within 24 hours of being reported as missing, UTP-H will notify: (1) the designated confidential contact person, if any; (2) the student’s parents or guardian, if the student is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated, and (3) the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction in the area.

If the missing student is under the age of 18, UTP-H must also report the student as endangered to the Texas Department of Public Safety if:

(a) he or she has been reported missing on four or more occasions in the 24-month period preceding the date of the current report; or

(b) he or she is in foster care or in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services and has been reported missing on two or more occasions in the 24-month period preceding the date of the current report.

C.        Outside Communications about Missing Student

Prior to the release of any information by the University to the public regarding a student who is determined to be missing, UTP-H and, as appropriate, other local law enforcement agencies involved in locating the student, will be consulted so as not to jeopardize any investigation.

Information provided to the media to elicit public assistance in the search for a missing student will be handled by UTP-H or other designated local law enforcement agency.

D.        Reporting Located Students   

If a student who is reported missing is located, UTP-H will provide an update to the Director, University Housing. UTP-H will also notify all parties previously contacted by UTP-H and will advise them of the status in a timely manner.

E.         Use of Procedures Prior to 24 Hour Time Period   

The University may, at its discretion, initiate any of the foregoing procedures prior to any statutorily designated time period if it is believed to be merited. This includes contacting a designated confidential contact person and/or custodial parent/guardian to help ascertain if a student is missing or to collect information helpful to a search for a student who has been determined to be missing.

IV. CONTACTS

• • Director, University Housing
  • 713-500-8444
  • https://www.uth.edu/housing/
• • The University of Texas Police - Houston
  • 713-792-2890
  • https://www.utph.org/

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