Lost and Found

Lost and Found Policy

Items left unattended at DMS that are not stored in designated areas (e.g., personal/project storage) may be collected and placed in the Lost and Found. This policy governs how those items are handled.

What Goes in Lost and Found

• Items that appear to be accidentally left behind, such as:

  • Tools

  • Clothing

  • Power cords, adapters

  • Notebooks or paperwork

  • Water bottles, glasses, keys, etc.

  • Electronics

• Items must be:

  • Safe (i.e. not leaking, flammable, hazardous)

  • Reasonably clean (items with food residue, perishables, or visible contamination may be immediately discarded)

Location and Access

• The Lost and Found is located in the common room on the shelves.

• Members may look through the Lost and Found at any time.

• Items are loosely categorized where practical to ease identification.

Claiming Items

• Members may retrieve their lost property without penalty.

• Proof of ownership may be requested for high-value or ambiguous items.

Holding Period

• Items will be held in the Lost and Found for 30 calendar days.

• After 30 days, unclaimed items may be:

  • Donated

  • Discarded

  • Repurposed for community use

  • Or otherwise disposed of at the discretion of the Logistics team

Exceptions

• Perishables or hygiene-related items (e.g. food, opened drinks, used PPE) will be discarded immediately.

• Dangerous or inappropriate items will be removed and may be escalated to the Board or Officers.

• Valuables (wallets, keys, electronics, etc.) may be held in a more secure location inside the Logistics Office. Any member who has access to both the IT Office (to obtain the lockbox key) and the Logistics Office (under 24 hour camera protection) can retrieve items to be claimed.

This policy was approved by the Logistics Committee on 7-10-2025.