The Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO) does not accept lost and found items valued under $50 unless defined as Crucial Items. CPSO’s Lost & Found policy specifies that personal data storage devices, such as flash drives, are not accepted by, tracked by, or returned through their office. For more information, visit CPSO's Lost & Found page.
OIT labs provide a basic lost and found service specifically for data storage devices. We will make a best-effort to identify the owner of the device and contact them at their PSU email to retrieve the device. Any data storage device not retrieved within two weeks will be securely erased and destroyed.
What is a Data Storage Device?
Flash drive (USB thumb drive, memory stick)
External hard driveFloppy or zip disk
Memory card (of any type: CF, SD, SDXC, etc.)
...
Go to where you last saw or used your device.
OIT labs have an attendant available during open hours.
Visit adjacent department offices or labs near where you lost the device.
Many departments and building management teams maintain their own lost and found repositories.
If you left the device in a classroom, items may have been turned in to various locations: an adjacent department, the closest lab, or simply left on or near the podiums in the classrooms.
Be sure to check if the building has a central information desk, or building-specific lost and found location (e.g. PSU Information Desk in SMSU, Millar Library circulation desk).
What Does OIT Do With Personal Data Storage Devices?
If the Device is Left in an OIT-Operated Lab:
We will make a reasonable effort to return the devices to the original owner through their PSU email account. When you come to pick up the device, you must show photo ID and will be asked to describe your device and/or files to verify you are the owner. Once positively identified, your device will be returned. After two weeks, the device will be securely erased to protect the privacy and integrity of data prior to disposition.
If The Device is Turned into The Helpdesk:
Any devices turned in to the Helpdesk Any devices found in an OIT-operated lab space or that are turned in at the Help Desk will be securely wiped to protect confidential information and subsequently destroyed.