Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Act

What is the "Jeanne Clery" Disclosure Act?

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, codified at 20 USC 1092 (f) as a part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. All public and private post secondary educational institutions participating in federal student aid programs are subject to it.

Howard and Connie Clery championed the law, originally enacted by Congress in 1990 as the Campus Security Act, after their daughter Jeanne was tragically murdered at Lehigh University in 1986. Amendments to the Act in 1998 renamed it in memory of Jeanne Clery.

The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to publish an annual report every year by October 1st that contains 3 years worth of crime statistics and certain security policy statements including sexual assault policies which assure basic victims' rights, the law enforcement authority of campus police and where the students should go to report crimes.

The complete text of the Clery Act is available on the Security On Campus, Inc. web site at http://clerycenter.org/ as are the implementing regulations published by the U.S. Department of Education. UPD is responsible for gathering crime statistics and providing safety information to its constituents. Crime prevention pamphlets are available at the UPD or you may view some important safety tips online. 

Department of Education Statistics

The annual security report for Jacksonville State University includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off -campus buildings or property owned or controlled by JSU and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. In accordance with mandated reporting requirements, information concerning the monitoring and recording of any criminal activity in which students engaged, at off campus locations and/or within student organizations that are officially recognized by the University, are gathered from local police agencies. These agencies include any City, County, State, or Federal agencies that may have relevant information and the statistics are published in this disclosure. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault and other matters.

The University Police Department is aware that crimes may go unreported to law enforcement and encourages employees of JSU, who have significant responsibility for students and student activities, to report to the University Police any crimes that they may have become aware of in their daily contact with students. All reports to the University Police can be made confidentially and anonymously in accordance with the reporting person's wishes.