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 Type | Hold Time by Central Lost and Found | Disposition 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 Items | N/A | Will 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 |
| Animals | N/A | Refer to Animal Control |
| Weapons | N/A | Refer to Public Safety |
| Miscellaneous Items | 30 days | Donate |
| 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).
5. Related Information
Information Desk Lost and Found
(208) 426-4636
https://www.boisestate.edu/infodesk/lost-and-found/