Clery Act – Frequently Asked Questions
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics
Act
(commonly known as the Clery Act; formerly the Campus Security Act) is a federal law
that
requires institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) in the United
States to
disclose campus security information including crime statistics for the campus and
surrounding
areas.
In 1986 Jeanne Clery, a freshman at Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University, was murdered
and
sexually assaulted in her campus residence hall room by another student she didn't
know. Her
school hadn't informed students about 38 violent crimes on campus in the three years
preceding
her murder. Clery’s parents, Connie & Howard, led the crusade to enact the original
Campus
Security Act. In 1998, Congress formally named the law in memory of Jeanne Clery.
All institutions of postsecondary education, both public and private, that participate
in federal
student aid programs must publish and disseminate an annual campus security report
as well as
make timely warnings of any criminal activities.
Jefferson Community and Technical College must publish and disseminate an annual campus
security report by
October 1st of each year containing various security policies and three years’ worth
of crime statistics. The College must also issue timely warnings about crimes that
pose an ongoing danger.
The College must also maintain a public crime log of all reported crimes.
Yes, they do. Schools have to report their crime statistics to the DOE through a specially
designed website.
Schools are required to “make a reasonable, good-faith effort to obtain statistics
from outside”
law agencies for inclusion in their annual report for all geographic areas including
the campus.
- Homicide
- Murder & Manslaughter
- Sex Offenses
- Forcible
- Non-Forcible
- Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Arson
- Hate Crimes
- Dating Violence
- Domestic Violence
- Stalking
Hate crimes must also be reported by category of prejudice:
- Race
- Gender
- Religion
- Sexual
- Orientation
- Ethnicity
- Disability
The Clery Act requires that schools provide statistics for the following categories
of arrests or, if
an arrest was not made, referrals for campus disciplinary action:
- Liquor Law Violations
- Drug Law Violations
- Illegal Weapons Possession
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics
Acts
requires the distribution of an annual campus security report to all current faculty,
staff and
students and notice of its availability to prospective students, faculty and staff.
The Safety and Security Information Report (Clery Report) is supplied in two formats;
as a document by the College, or through the U.S. Department of Education web site.
Yes, they do. Campus Security Authorities are individuals with significant responsibility
for
campus and student activities have reporting obligations under the Clery Act. Faculty
who serve
as advisors to student groups, coaches, and staff involved in student affairs are
all included in
this group. Only professional mental health and pastoral counselors are exempt from
reporting.
Yes, any incident that falls in the above categories must be reported to Campus Security
or to a
Campus Security Authority, however you may choose to report the incident without revealing
the identity of the victim. Campus Security or a Campus Security Authority will need
to know
the nature of the incident, the approximate time and location to ensure accurate statistics.
No. Crimes are counted when they are reported regardless of prosecution.
The United States Department of Education is charged with enforcing the Jeanne Clery Act.
