Lost and Found

Policy

Lost and Found- Policy.pdf

The Minnesota State University Security office is the main Lost and Found repository for the University. Each building has a satellite repository which is picked up by Security staff weekly during the academic school year and every two weeks during the summer.

Items will be considered lost when found in an area where items are not normally left for a period of time or after the building is closed to the general public. If an item is found which may be stolen or contraband, University Security must be contacted immediately.

Employees of the University must turn in all lost items found, either to a supervisor or directly to one of the 18 lost and found satellite repositories on campus. Other individuals who find lost items are encouraged to turn them in to a satellite repository or to University Security.

Owners trying to find lost items should contact the nearest repository located where they believe that their item was lost and inquire about the item. The owners may also contact University Security to describe the lost item and the location where they believe the item was lost or go on to University Security’s “Report a Lost Item” page to electronically report a lost item.

Reasonable efforts are made to return items to the rightful owner, but the University assumes no liability if an item is returned to the wrong individual or if an item placed in a repository is mislabeled, misplaced, or damaged.

Items which are unclaimed by the owner will be processed according to the procedures outlined in the Lost and Found Procedure.

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Rationale

The University is host to a large number of people on campus. Inevitably, many lost personal belongings are discovered on University property and are submitted to the University in anticipation that the owners will claim the items. Having a policy helps ensure that lost items are handled efficiently and securely.

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History of Revisions

• Effective Date of Last Review: August 1, 2026
• Date of Last Review: September 2025

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Procedure

Lost and Found- Procedure.pdf

Lost items can be reported on the University Security Report a Lost Item page on the University Security webpage.

Found items should be submitted to the University Security Office in Wiecking Center 222 or to the nearest lost item repository; a complete list of 18 repositories is available on the University Security website. Employees may also submit found items to their supervisor. Security staff will retrieve all items each week during the academic school year and every two weeks during the summer. Items considered valuable (phones, purses, wallets, valuable jewelry, state or dorm keys, etc.) are retrieved as soon as possible.

To claim an item owners must identify their property and provide a picture identification. The security office is open Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Items are kept for six (6) months before disposal.

Exceptions:

1. Because of sanitation-related issues, items such as the following will not be considered lost items and will be disposed of immediately:
   1. Food or food items, including alcoholic beverages
   2. Personal hygiene or cosmetic items
   3. Soiled or otherwise unusable clothing or personal items
2. Certain items are too common to be handled as lost property and can be disposed of by the University immediately:
   1. Pens, pencils and other supplies that have a value under $10 (unless found bundled such as in a backpack or supply box)
   2. Items with little or no value (under $25), excluding jewelry or moneys (cash, coin)
3. Any property with multiple contents will be assessed for items that require immediate disposal, personally identifiable, or high value items. If contents require immediate disposal, they will be removed from the property.

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History of Revisions

• Effective Date of Last Review: August 1, 2026
• Date of Last Review: September 2025
  
  

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Rationale