Page 72 - Security Today, January/February 2022

CoverStory
Clery Act
The Continuing Impact on Campus Technology
Current campus safety concerns include threats of terrorism, mass shootings, the pandemic, stalking, student mental health, assault and more. Schools have to remain diligent in order to keep students and faculty members safe. The responsibilities of campus security officials have always been sub- stantial but they are even more distinct in the modern era. As campus safety continues to be a major concern moving forward, new technologies are being developed and upgraded that help security professionals effectively support and safeguard campus communities.
In the 1980s, anxiety grew about crime and security at the nation's postsecondary institutions. Higher education institutions traditionally had been considered to be safe havens where students could focus on their studies. However, a number of high-profile violent crimes on college campuses changed that perception. Such concerns led Congress to pass legislation regarding campus secu- rity and crime reporting at postsecondary institutions.
Clery Act Evolves and Protects
When Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her dorm room in 1986, access control in the residence halls was primitive at best. Prior to Clery's death, there were reports that her residence hall had 181 situations of auto-locking doors being propped open by residents. The murderer likely gained access to Clery's room through a propped door, as well as her own room door having been left unlocked for her roommate, who forgot her key.
The Clery Act, named after Jeanne Clery, was championed by her parents, Connie and Howard Clery, in her memory. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) is a federal law established in 1990 that requires col- leges and universities to report crimes that occur on campus and establish school safety policies. The Clery Act also requires schools to send timely warnings to the school community when there are known risks to public safety on or nearby campus. It is enforced by the United States Department of Education, and institutions that fail to comply could face a fine of $59,017 per violation.
This information is also available each year in an Annual Secu- rity Report (ASR)—and the associated Fire Safety Report—which can generally be found on the institution’s website. Every college and university that receives any federal funding, including finan- cial aid for students, must be transparent about all crimes commit- ted on campus. Through Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) amendments including the Campus SaVE Act, reportable crimes also include stalking, intimidation, dating violence, domestic vio- lence, sexual assault and hate crimes.
The ASR, submitted in October of each year, documents three years of specific crime statistics for each specified crime at all applicable geographical locations and include procedures and information pertaining to crime victims’ rights. Also included in the report are education awareness programs for students and employees and emergency response systems and procedures. Insti- tutions must make the ASR available to all current and prospective students and institutional employees.
20 campuslifesecurity.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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