Hello, With a phone, flash drive, or other electronic device, I personally open it just enough to see if I can find identifying information without violating anyone's privacy. If I'm able to do so and can immediately reach the student, I call and e-mail and ask the person to come within a few hours to retrieve it. If I cannot reach the person immediately, I bring items of larger value (laptops or phones, for example) to Campus Police and send the student an e-mail and let my receptionists know where to direct the students. Less valuable items such as books, flash drives, and notebooks go through the same protocol but are ultimately kept in our in-house lost and found. Sincerely, Debbie Malewicki, MA Director, Center for Learning Resources Director, Peer Tutoring Program Safe Zone Ally 116 Marvin K. Peterson Library University of New Haven -- "A Leader in Experiential Education" 300 Boston Post Road West Haven, CT 06516 Phone: (203) 932-7415 Fax: (203) 931-6013 E-mail: [log in to unmask] "Tutoring to Help You Blossom Into a Better Student" Thought of the day: "To think is to differ." -- Clarence Darrow -----Original Message----- From: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Doyle, Christopher Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:43 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Lost items protocol Hello All, I'm curious if anyone's school or center has specific protocol in place for lost items. Specifically, what you do when a student leaves behind a cell phone or flash drive. Do you access the files or phonebook to attempt to find an identity, or do these items just go to either a departmental or central lost and found? This discussion has popped up recently in our department, and while I understand the value of trying to find an identity, I worry that it can open us up to a lot of liability. Christopher Doyle Director, Academic Support Center Mount Wachusett Community College 444 Green Street Gardner MA 01440 [log in to unmask] 978 630-9856 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask]