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Lost and Found Property (Policy 12160)

University Policy 12160

Download a Printable Version of Policy 12160


Effective Date

August 25, 2020

Responsible Party

Department of Public Safety, (208) 426-6911

Scope and Audience

This policy applies to all Boise State University departments or units that collect, store, or otherwise manage Lost and Found Property. This policy does not apply to lost or found University business property. Lost or found University business property should be reported to Risk Management and Insurance.

Additional Authority

  • Idaho Code § 55-403
  • Idaho Code § 55-405
  • Ada County Code, Title 1, Chapter 15 (Lost and Found Property on Ada County Property)
  • Boise City Code, Title 5, Chapter 14 (Lost, Abandoned, Unclaimed Personal Property)
  • University Policy 9080 (Access Control)

1. Policy Purpose

To provide a standardized, efficient, and controlled process for recording, storing, and returning or dispositioning Lost and Found Property.

2. Policy Statement

The University endeavors to ensure the proper handling and claiming of Lost and Found Property by establishing standardized Lost and Found Property procedures for departments and units, collection sites, and Central Lost and Found.

3. Definitions

3.1 Lost and Found Property

Any found or unclaimed personal item(s) located on the main campus.

4. Responsibilities and Procedures

4.1 Collection

a. Departments or units must take Lost and Found Property upon receipt to one of the lost and found collection sites listed below.

  • Student Union Information Desk
  • Public Safety Office
  • Recreation Center Front Desk
  • Library Front Desk
  • Interactive Learning Center Zone (ILC Zone)
  • University Housing Main Office-Chaffee Hall
  • Extra Mile Arena Offices
  • Morrison Center Offices
  • Career Services
  • Office of the Registrar
  • Alumni and Friends Center
  • Athletic Ticket Office

b. Lost and Found Property will be retained by the collection site for no more than one (1) week before it is transferred to Central Lost and Found at the Information Desk.

c. High-value or high-risk Lost and Found Property obtained by the collection site must be immediately delivered to the Department of Public Safety. High-value or high-risk Lost and Found Property consists of items such as a: wallet, purse, tablet, cell phone, computer/laptop, weapon, and medication/drugs. Any cash found loose, not in a wallet/purse/bag, should be transferred to Central Lost and Found.

d. Items transferred to Central Lost and Found or Public Safety will be recorded in a shared inventory log.

4.2 Requesting Lost and Found Property

a. An individual making a request for Lost and Found Property must present identification, such as a driver’s license or student ID, and provide a description of the item before the item will be returned.

b. If the individual does not have identification, but the individual can describe the item in sufficient detail to reasonably establish ownership or open it with a password (e.g., phone, tablet), the item will be returned once the Lost and Found Property records are updated with the owner’s information.

4.3 Hold Time by Central Lost and Found and Disposition Method

If the Lost and Found Property remains unclaimed after the expiration of the hold time by Central Lost and Found, the item will become University property and will be dispositioned as outlined in the table under this section.

Property TypeHold Time by Central Lost and FoundDisposition Method
Backpacks*

Gym Bags*

Luggage*
30 days

30 days

30 days
Contents

Donate

Donate
Bank Cards**

Cash**
1 week

90 days
Securely Destroyed

Submitted to University Financials
Government Issued ID**

Alternative ID**

Bronco Cards**

Boise State Alternative ID**
1 week


1 week

Semester

30 days
Forward custody to Public Safety

Securely Destroyed

Forward to Bronco Card Office

Forward to Sponsoring Department
Keys – General

Keys – w/Housing Key


Keys – w/FO&M Key
30 days

30 days


30 days
Securely Destroyed

Full Key Set – Forward to Housing

Full Key Set – Forward to FO&M
Small Electronics

USB/Memory Stick

Head Phones

Instrument

Equipment
30 days

30 days

30 days

30 days

30 days
Donate

Securely Destroyed

Donate

Donate

Donate
Books – General/Text

Books – Library Checkout

Books – BroncoShop Rental

Notebooks/Binders
30 days

30 days


30 days


N/A
Donate

Forward to Library


Forward to BroncoShop


Immediate Disposal
Perishable ItemsN/AWill Not Accept – Immediate Disposal
Perishable Item Containers

Lunch Bag


Coffee Mug


Water Bottle
N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A
Will Not Accept – Immediate Disposal

Will Not Accept – Immediate Disposal

Will not accept – immediate disposal

Will Not Accept – Immediate Disposal
Personal/Hygiene Products

Medical Products
N/A


N/A
Will Not Accept


Will Not Accept
Clothing (Non-Soiled)

Clothing (Soiled/Damaged)

Clothing Accessories

Shoes
30 days

N/A


30 days

30 days
Donate

Immediate Disposal


Donate

Donate
Jewelry

Glasses
30 days

30 days
Donate

Donate
Bikes

Longboards

Skateboards

Scooters

Recreational Equipment
N/A

30 days

30 days

30 days

30 days
Refer to Cycle Center

Donate

Donate

Donate

Donate
AnimalsN/ARefer to Animal Control
WeaponsN/ARefer to Public Safety
Miscellaneous Items30 daysDonate
Negligible Items

Discretionary Itemsⁱ
N/A

N/A
Immediate Disposal

Immediate Disposal

* 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 property.

** Found Loose (not contained in wallet/purse/bag)

ⁱ It is the discretion of the lost and found attendee whether or not an item will be accepted for processing or disposed of immediately.

4.4 Disclaimer

The University assumes no responsibility for the care and/or protection of any personal item(s) left unattended on University property and for loss, under any circumstances, including theft, vandalism, or malicious mischief of such item(s).

Information Desk Lost and Found
(208) 426-4636