/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook.json

Missing Student Policy

Anytime a student is suspected to be missing for 24 hours or more, and reasonable attempts to contact him or her have failed, a missing student report must be immediately filed with the Office of Campus Safety and Security. If a university official outside the Office of Campus Safety and Security is notified first, they must ensure the filing of the report with the Office of Campus Safety and Security. The supervising officer on duty can immediately begin an investigation (in conjunction with the Office of Residence Life for residential students) and make proper notifications ensuring university resources can be identified and utilized as quickly as possible.

If the student reported missing is a residential student, it is University policy to report the missing status to the Hartsville Police Department immediately. (The exact amount of time taken to make this report will depend on the Police Department’s policies regarding accepting such reports and will allow time for the Office of Campus Safety and Security investigation to provide information on the student’s possible whereabouts or other circumstances regarding the incident.) Students may designate a contact person or persons who will also be notified of results of the investigation.

The university is required to contact custodial parents or guardians within 24 hours of any students reported missing who are under the age of 18 and are not emancipated. This will be in addition to any contact person(s) designated by the student.

Any contact information provided by the student will be registered confidentially and accessible only to authorized campus officials, and will only be disclosed to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.