Missing Student Notification Procedure

NMJC respects and promotes its students’ independence and self-sufficiency. At the same time, NMJC seeks to ensure the safety and security of all persons on its campus. If you have a concern or reason to believe that an NMJC student is missing, you are strongly encouraged to make a report of your concerns to Campus Security and Safety.

Notice of Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity

1. Reporting a Student as Missing
   Any person may report any NMJC student as missing. Concerned persons should contact NMJC Campus Safety at 575-399-2033. It is not necessary to wait twenty-four (24) hours before making a report to Campus Safety. A report should be made if a student’s whereabouts are unknown and unexplained for a period of time that would be regarded as highly unusual or suspicious by persons familiar with the student’s life, habits, routines or plans. If a report to Campus Safety is not possible for some reason, you are encouraged to make a report directly to local law enforcement personnel.
    
2. What Happens When a Report is Made?
   Upon receiving a report that a student’s whereabouts are unknown under circumstances indicating the student may be missing, NMJC Campus Safety will immediately notify the Chief of Campus Safety, the Vice President for Student Services and all campus housing staff of the report. Campus Safety will check all campus buildings and make a thorough attempt to locate the student on the campus. Housing staff will assist by checking their area of responsibility, including the student’s room. Campus Safety will also try to contact the student using available information and means of communication and may request the assistance of persons who know the student in such efforts. Other campus personnel as authorized by the Chief of Campus Safety or the Vice President for Student Services may pursue additional investigative activities as are reasonable under the circumstances.
    

3. Further Actions by NMJC
   If the initial efforts by NMJC to locate a student are not successful and it is determined either that the student has been missing for twenty-four (24) hours or that the available information and circumstances reasonably suggest that the student may be injured or otherwise in danger, NMJC will notify the following persons/agencies: (a) local law enforcement; (b) any emergency contact for the student on file with NMJC; and (c) the custodial parents or legal guardians of a student under the age of eighteen (18).

   NMJC also reserves the right to notify parents, legal guardians and other family members of any student who may be missing, both in the course of trying to locate the student and upon contacting local law enforcement. Once local law enforcement has been notified, NMJC will coordinate and cooperate with law enforcement regarding all additional steps to be taken in trying to locate a student believed to be missing.

4. Emergency Contacts; Confidentiality
   All NMJC students (both those living in student housing and those residing off-campus) can designate one or more confidential emergency contacts to be maintained in NMJC’s records for such purposes. All students are encouraged to identify at least two emergency contacts and to keep such information current. Students are also encouraged to provide NMJC contact information for the College to use to reach the student in emergencies or when urgent communications need to be sent to the student. See the Emergency Contact policy elsewhere in this handbook for details regarding how to designate and update your emergency contact.

   Emergency contact information will be maintained as a confidential student record by NMJC and will be accessible only by authorized college officials and law enforcement as determined appropriate by the Chief of Campus Safety or the Vice President for Student Services.

5. Safety Precautions
   All students have an important role to play in keeping themselves, their fellow students and the NMJC campus safe for all. Observing common sense safety precautions can reduce the risks to you and your fellow students.
   • Housing Safety
     • Always keep your housing door locked.
     • Do not open your door when you do not know the person knocking.
   • Vehicle Safety
     • Keep vehicle doors locked at all times.
     • Always check your back seat prior to entering your car.
     • Park in a well-lit area whenever possible.
   • Personal Safety
     • Be aware of your surroundings.
     • Take at least one other person with you whenever possible, especially at night. NMJC Campus Security and Safety provides free on-campus security escorts to students upon request. This service is available 24 hours a day/7 day a week by calling Campus Safety.
     • Let your friends know where you are, how to reach you and when to expect you back (but be careful about posting such information on social networking sites).
     • Put the NMJC Campus Safety phone number in your cellular phone and report all suspicious activity when possible. NMJC Campus Safety can be reached 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 575-399-2033.
   • Computer and Internet Safety
     • Do not post information on social networking sites that you would not want a stranger to know about you or your friends, your plans or your location.
     • Protect your computer and data with passwords. Always log out of shared computers.