UCR Policies and Procedures

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Campus Policy Number:  350-77
Reporting Student Deaths
Policy Owner:  Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs
Effective Date:  September 2005

1. THE UCR POLICE DEPARTMENT AS INITIAL CONTACT POINT

The UCR Police Department is the central information and notification point for the UCR community in order to facilitate the transmitting of accurate and timely information to appropriate officials and departments.  When notified of a student death, the UCR Police Department will do the following: 



1. Verification of Student Status

The UCR Police Department will call and request from the Registrar verification of the student’s full name, class or status, campus (local) address, permanent address, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, college or school, and information regarding the next-of-kin.   This information is confidential pending notification of next-of-kin.

2. Other Campus Officials

The UCR Police Department will verbally or electronically notify:  Chancellor; Executive Vice Chancellor; Police Chief; Watch Commander; Vice Chancellor of Administration; Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs; Director of University Relations; Dean of Students; University Advancement; and, the Registrar.

2. DEAN OF STUDENTS

When notified of a student death, by either UCR Police Department or other recognized police units, such as Riverside Police Department, the Dean of Students will do the following:

1. Notification of Kin

The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs will determine whether local police, hospitals, county coroner, etc. have notified the next-of-kin.  If not, the Dean of Students will assure that the next-of-kin is notified.  In consultation with the Registrar and Director of Housing, the Dean of Students will explain to the next-of-kin any relevant financial issues.

2. Other Notifications

The Dean of Students verbally or electronically notifies, if appropriate, the Counseling Center Director, the Director of Housing, etc.

3. NOTIFICATION OF ROOMMATES
1. On-Campus Housing

The Director of Housing will notify the appropriate housing unit staff who will notify the victim’s roommate.  The roommate and any other appropriate friends will also be notified of the availability of Counseling Center Services.

2. Off-Campus Housing

Whenever possible, the UCR Police Department and a designate from the Counseling Center will notify roommates residing in off-campus housing as soon as possible.

4. INQUIRIES FROM THE MEDIA

All inquiries from the media (press, radio, television) should be directed to the Office of Marketing and Media Relations, to ensure that information regarding the death is accurate and consistent before its release.

5. CLAIMING THE REMAINS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY

Inquiries from the next-of-kin concerning the remains should be directed to the County Coroner.  Inquiries from next-of-kin to claim the personal property of a student who resided in on-campus housing should be referred to the Director of Housing, who will arrange for the collection and/or delivery of the property.  In the event that the student resides off-campus, the Director of Housing and Campus Police, whenever possible, will help coordinate the disposition of the student’s personal property.

6. AFTERMATH COUNSELING

The Counseling Center will assess the needs of the concerned community and recommend appropriate intervention.  The Counseling Center is available for counseling survivors who are eligible for service and for referral to community resources for others.