Complying With The Jeanne Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)) is the landmark federal law, originally known as the Campus Security Act, that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.

Because the law is tied to participation in federal student financial aid programs it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.

The "Clery Act" is named in memory of 19 year old university freshman Jeanne Ann Clery (pictured right) who was raped and murdered while asleep in her residence hall room on April 5, 1986.

Jeanne's parents, Connie and Howard, discovered that students hadn't been told about 38 violent crimes on their daughter's campus in the three years before her murder. They joined with other campus crime victims and persuaded Congress to enact this law, which was originally known as the "Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990."

The law was amended in 1992 to add a requirement that schools afford the victims of campus sexual assault certain basic rights, and was amended again in 1998 to expand the reporting requirements. The 1998 amendments also formally named the law in memory of Jeanne Clery.

Subsequent amendments in 2000 and 2008 added provisions dealing with registered sex offender notification and campus emergency response, respectively. The 2008 amendments also added a provision to protect crime victims, "whistleblowers", and others from retaliation.

Clery Act Compliance Information

The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting (PDF, February 2011)

This handbook was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to present step-by-step procedures, examples, and references for higher education institutions to follow in meeting the campus safety and security requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. This handbook replaces The Handbook for Campus Crime Reporting.

Summary Of The Jeanne Clery Act

Provides an easy to understand "plain language" summary of the Jeanne Clery Act's requirements.

Summaries of New for 2010 Clery Guidelines

• Missing Student Guidelines
• Emergency Response, Notification Guidelines
• Burglaries Must Meet These 3 Conditions/Range of Test Options Under the Clery Act
• Hate Crime Reporting Requirements
• Fire Incident Reporting Requirements

Clery Act Annual Report Checklist

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

Jeanne Clery Act Question Of The Week Archive (Updated February 15, 2010)

Clery Act Hate Crime Definitions

Clery Act Program Review Reports (Institutions Found In Violation By U.S. Department of Education)

Clery Act-Statute Text (20 USC § 1092(f))

• Clery Act text as amended through 2008 (PDF format)
  
• Original Campus Security Act Text (1990; Public Law 101-542, Title II)

Clery Act-Implementing Regulations

Issued by the U.S. Department of Education the implementing regulations, which carry the force of law, instruct institutions how to comply with the Jeanne Clery Act.

New Campus Security Regulations - Effective July 1, 2010

• 34 CFR § 668.46 (current Clery Act regulations, effective July 1, 2003; also available in PDF format)
• 34 CFR § 668.41 (general information disclosure regulations which also apply to the Clery Act; also available in PDF format)
  
• October 31, 2002 Federal Register-Final Rule (sex offender disclosure requirement in institutions' annual security reports; disciplinary referral technical correction; available in PDF format)
  
• November 1, 1999 Federal Register-Final Rule (explains the Clery Act regulations in plain language; available in PDF format)
  
• August 10, 1999 Federal Register-Proposed Rule (draft version of the Clery Act regulations; available in PDF format)
  
• April 24, 1994 Federal Register-Final Rule (original Campus Security Act regulations)

UCR Handbook (15 MB PDF Document)

When not in conflict with the Clery Act, the standards of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program are to be used.

Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines (PDF Document)

Contains UCR Program guidance on collecting and reporting hate crimes that is also used for Clery Act reporting.

While this page contains a discussion of general legal principles and specific laws, it is neither intended to be given as legal advice nor as the practice of law, and should not be relied upon by readers as such. Before taking any action, always check with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the law.