Members of the Lehigh University Community should immediately report missing persons to Lehigh University Police Department by calling 610.758.4200. Within the University, responsibility for investigation of missing person reports rests with the Lehigh University Police Department. There is no waiting period for reporting a missing person. Responding officers will carefully record and investigate the factual circumstances surrounding the disappearance in accordance with Departmental directives. Particular care will be exercised in the instances involving those who may be mentally or physically impaired or others who are insufficiently prepared to care for themselves.

Students will have the opportunity to register a confidential emergency contact to be notified in the event they are reported missing. Registration is voluntary, but is strongly encouraged. The information provided is confidential and will only be used by University officials and Lehigh University Police Department in an emergency situation, including situations in which a student has been reported missing or where disclosure is legally required by a search warrant or subpoena.  All students are required to complete a pre-registration survey before registering for courses each semester.  This survey requests students review their emergency contact information on file.  Emergency contact information can be updated at any time through Self-Service BANNER, available at this link: http://www4.lehigh.edu/insidelehigh/default.aspx.

If the Lehigh University Police Department, after investigation, determines that an on-campus residential student has been missing for 24 hours, the University will, within 24 hours after making such a determination, notify the student’s designated contact person that the student is missing. If such student is under the age of 18 and is unemancipated, the University will also notify the student’s parent or legal guardian within the 24 hour period after the Lehigh University Police Department has determined that the student is missing.

Reports of students missing from off-campus residences will be referred to the police department having jurisdiction over the student’s local residence, if known, or the student’s permanent residence if a local residence cannot be determined.