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lost and found

York University Lost & Found (Keele Campus)

** For Lost & Found services at the Glendon Campus, please visit the Security Services wicket at the Security / Parking / goSAFE office, connected to the Student Housing office at the Glendon Campus.

Location: South Ross Building, Room 107 (in the Vari Hall / Ross link)
Phone: 416-736-2100 extension 33369
E-Mail: lost@yorku.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday — 11:30am to 4:00pm
** Please note that Lost & Found is closed on all statutory holidays, as well as any University closures

Inquiring about an item that you lost

Lost item inquiries can be done several different ways:

Once an inquiry is received our staff will check to see if your item has been turned in — if it hasn't, you can request that a report be filed, ensuring your contact information and a description of your item are on file in the event that it gets turned in at a later date.

At times we may have a number of similar items being turned in, so when inquiring about a lost item please be as specific as possible (ie. 'white phone' is not as descriptive as 'white iPhone with my picture on the screen, Telus network') — this will help us ensure that we can best match any items turned in with your description.

Turning in a found item

Found items can be turned into the Lost & Found office during operational hours, or left with Security in the William Small Centre after hours.

Once an item is turned in the Lost & Found office will attempt to process it as quickly as possible. This can include examining the item for any name or contact information that could link the item to a possible owner, tagging the item into our database.

If we are able to identify an owner we will make every attempt to contact him/her, with phone or e-mail being the primary methods. When an owner is contacted via e-mail we also provide the owner with the item ID, and ask that you have this number ready when picking up any items to expedite identifying which item is yours.

Items are tagged into our system as they are turned in, with a full description of the item, date the item was received and location the item was found in all being logged. This is done to ensure the greatest chance that the item is returned to its rightful owner.

How do I claim an item that I had lost but was turned in?

If you know an item you had lost was turned in to Lost & Found, either by checking yourself or if you had been contacted by the office, you can claim your item by stopping by the Lost & Found office during business hours. If you had previously been in touch with Lost & Found to confirm your item is there, please also have the ID number of the item ready to expedite the pick-up.

Photo ID is required for all pick-ups at Lost & Found. When picking up an item you will be asked to present your ID, and note your name and a piece of contact information (either phone # or e-mail address), as well as sign for the item before it will be released.

How long are found items held for?

Items are typically held for a minimum of 30 days for most items turned in.

Items that are not held for that timeframe include:

What happens if nobody claims a found item?

All unclaimed items are 'disposed of', either via destruction, recycling or donation.

York University does not profit in any way from unclaimed items.

What if I can't get to the office to pick-up my item before it closes or within the storage timelines?

Alternative arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis. If you have been contacted about a found item, or have confirmed that your item is at Lost & Found, but you will either not be able to make it to the office during business hours, or will not be able to pick it up within the storage timelines, you can request that alternative arrangements be made.

Alternative arrangements can include having an item left at Security Services (which operates 24 hours per day) in the event you can't pick the item up during business hours, or having the item put in longer term storage in the event you will not be at York for an extended period of time. Please note that these options must be arranged in advance, and that long-term storage is only available for a maximum of 90 days from the date the request is made.

Can I ask a friend to pick up an item for me?

Lost & Found strives to ensure that the proper owners are the ones receiving their items. In the event the rightful owner is not able to pick the item up in person, a third party is permitted to pick up the item on the owner's behalf under certain circumstances:

My department needs a pick-up from Lost & Found — how can this be arranged?

If your department has its own internal Lost & Found, and you need assistance transferring those items to us, please either contact the staff member working at Lost & Found during business hours, or e-mail goSAFE@yorku.ca — once notification has been received that a pickup is needed, we will schedule someone to assist you.

Tips

Disclaimer

York University regrets that it cannot be responsible for items of personal property left unattended on the grounds or within buildings.