University of Delaware Missing Student Policy

(Updated 7-21-2026)

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE MISSING STUDENT POLICY

1. Purpose

The University of Delaware (UD) takes student safety seriously. In compliance with the Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures (Section 488 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008), the following policy has been developed to assist in locating any University of Delaware student who, based on the facts and circumstances known to the University, is determined to be missing.

It is the policy of the University of Delaware to actively investigate any report of a missing student. All students will be notified of this policy and the procedures the University will follow in the event they are reported missing.

2. Confidential Missing Person Contact Information

Each student residing in an on-campus student housing facility will be given the opportunity annually to designate the name and contact information of an individual to serve as the student's confidential missing person contact. This information will be maintained confidentially and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials. It will not be disclosed except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.

Students will be advised that:

The University will notify the student's designated confidential missing person contact within 24 hours after the student has been determined to be missing.
If the student is under 18 years of age and not emancipated, the University is required to notify the student's custodial parent or legal guardian within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, in addition to notifying the student's designated confidential missing person contact (if one has been provided).
For all missing students, the University will notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, unless that law enforcement agency made the determination that the student was missing.

3. Reporting a Missing Student

Any member of the University community who has reason to believe that a student has been missing for 24 hours should immediately report the situation to the University of Delaware Police Department (UDPD), located at:

413 Academy Street
Newark, DE 19716

Non-emergency: (302) 831-2222
Emergency: 911

Suspected missing students should be reported to UDPD immediately. There is no waiting period before initiating an investigation.

Upon receiving a report, the University will immediately begin efforts to locate the student and determine the student's health, safety, and well-being. Investigative efforts may include, but are not limited to:

Calling and texting the student's phone;
Reviewing available social media activity;
Checking the student's residence hall room;
Interviewing roommates, friends, classmates, faculty, or other individuals who may have relevant information;
Reviewing class attendance, when appropriate;
Reviewing University ID card access or key fob usage; and
Attempting to locate the student's vehicle.

4. Notification Procedures

If, after investigation, UDPD determines that the student has been missing for at least 24 hours, the following notifications will be made within 24 hours of that determination:

The Dean of Students (or designee) will notify the student's designated confidential missing person contact.
If the student is under the age of 18 and is not emancipated, and no confidential contact has been designated, the student's custodial parent or legal guardian will be notified.
Regardless of the student's age or whether a confidential contact has been designated, the University will notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction, unless that agency made the determination that the student is missing.

UDPD will continue the investigation using established law enforcement procedures and will coordinate its efforts with the Dean of Students' Office, Residence Life, and other appropriate University officials. UDPD will also coordinate investigative efforts with outside law enforcement agencies as appropriate and in accordance with applicable law and accepted law enforcement practices.

5. Publication of Policy

The University of Delaware Missing Student Policy will be published in the following resources:

Student Guide to University Policies;
Student Information System (SIS) materials where students provide emergency contact and confidential missing person contact information; and
The University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR).