The Clery Act, formally known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, is a significant federal law in the United States that mandates colleges and universities to disclose information about crimes on and around their campuses. Named after Jeanne Ann Clery, a freshman at Lehigh University who was tragically raped and murdered in her dorm room in 1986, the law aims to provide transparency and ensure campus safety.
Key Provisions of the Clery Act:
1. Annual Campus Security Report:- By October 1 each year, institutions must publish and distribute their Annual Campus Security Report to current and prospective students and employees.
- This report includes crime statistics for the past three years, policy statements on safety and security measures, campus crime prevention programs, and procedures for investigating and prosecuting alleged sex offenses.
- Institutions must report statistics on various criminal offenses, including but not limited to violent crimes, sexual assaults, and burglaries.
- The report must contain detailed policy statements regarding campus security policies, safety measures, and crime prevention programs.
- Amendments in 1992 required schools to afford victims of campus sexual assault certain basic rights.
- Amendments in 2000 required institutions to inform the campus community about where to find public "Megan's Law" information regarding registered sex offenders on campus.
Background:
- Origin: The law was originally passed in 1990 as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act and was renamed in 1998 in memory of Jeanne Clery.
- Enforcement: The U.S. Department of Education enforces the Clery Act, and compliance is linked to participation in federal student financial aid programs.
For further information or concerns related to the Clery Act, individuals are advised to download a copy of the Multi Hazard Emergency Operations and Disaster Mitigation Plan 2023-2024.