POP UP BOX: Clery Act Basic Info Q&A according to “Covering Campus Crime”

  • What is the Clery Act?

    • It requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to open their crime information to the public in a timely manner.

    • No laws state an exact definition for timely manner; it is open to interpretation.

  • What crimes fall under the Clery Act?

    • Murder, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, manslaughter, arson and certain liquor, drug and weapons violations.

  • What crimes are subject to university alerts?

    • Crimes that present a serious or continuous threat to students and employees will trigger the school’s obligation to issue a timely warning.

  • What information must college police or public-safety departments make available?

    • All colleges are required to log “what, where and when” of serious reported crimes.

    • Colleges must disclose “incident reports” that give a more detailed narrative of the investigator’s observations.

  • Who is responsible for making a report?

    • The Act mandates that campus security personnel and anyone “who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities” must report acts of campus crime.  

  • What to do if your school ignores Clery Act requirements?

    • Remind your school officials of their legal obligations. If they ignore the law, you can file a written complaint with the director of the Regional Office of the Ohio Department of Education.

https://splc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/586_ccc4o.pdf