Building Services oversees the centralized Lost & Found for all SSMU buildings. If you’ve lost an item or found one, please see below for information on how we can assist you.
Lost Something?
Found Something?
Claim an Item
Follow these steps to find your item:
1. Check your belongings thoroughly—it might be hiding in your bag or pockets 2. Retrace your steps and check the areas you visited. 3. If you believe one of the possible locations is:
University Centre (3480 McTavish)
SSMU Office (3501 Peel)
4. Wait a few days and check back—items are often turned in later 5. Contact SSMU Building Services to check if your item has been turned in
1. Visit the Building Services at the University Centre (3480 McTavish), Main Floor Kiosk Desk during operating hours 2.Provide a detailed description of your lost item 3.Bring government-issued photo ID and McGill ID card 4.For electronics: bring a paired device to verify ownership
We do not identify items over the phone or by email. You must visit in person.
Lost & Found Locations
University Centre Kiosk Desk
(3480 McTavish), Main Floor
SSMU Office
(3501 Peel), Reception Desk
Operating Hours: Please check our respective building pages for current operating hours.
Retention & Disposal Policy
Valuable Items: Wallets, phones, laptops, and other valuable items will be transferred to McGill Security after 10 business days. The rest of the items are kept for 30 days from the date they are turned in.
After 30 Days: Textbooks and reusable items → made available for student reuse or donated to local charities Clothing and personal items → donated to Salvation Army, Sun Youth, or Old Brewery Mission Other miscellaneous items → donated to appropriate local charities or disposed of responsibly
Prevention Tips
Protect your belongings and increase the chances of recovery:
Label Everything: Write your name, phone number, or student number on books, notebooks, and belongings Engrave Electronics: Use McGill Campus Security’s S.T.O.P. service to engrave laptops and devices Enable Device Tracking: Use Find My iPhone or Find My Device features on Apple and Android products Respond Promptly: Check your email regularly and respond quickly if we contact you about your item
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you keep items?
Most items are kept for 30 days. Valuable items such as wallets, phones, and laptops are transferred to McGill Security after 10 business days.
What happens to unclaimed items?
After the 30-day holding period, unclaimed items are made available to local charities.
I lost my McGill ID card. Where should I check?
Check with our Lost & Found first, but also contact McGill Security, as they maintain a separate lost and found system for items found across campus.
Can I report a lost item by email or phone?
You can contact us by email or phone to inquire, but to claim an item, you must visit the Building Services kiosk in person with proper identification. We do not identify items over the phone or email for security reasons.
What if I think my item was stolen?
If you believe your item was stolen or subject to mischief, contact the Montreal Police Department to file a police report. For wallets or items containing credit/debit cards, cancel your cards immediately.
I lost something outside of the SSMU buildings. What should I do?
Items found outside of SSMU buildings should be taken to McGill Security Lost & Found or the building manager of the specific building where the item was lost. Our Lost & Found only handles items from SSMU-managed buildings.
