Why it matters:
Compliance with the Clery Act is not just a legal obligation but a critical component of campus safety.
The stakes:
When campus leaders sign the Title IV4 student financial assistance program participation agreement, they certify their compliance with the Clery Act. This federal law, named after Jeanne Clery,5 who was raped and murdered on her college campus in 1986, mandates transparent campus safety policies and the publication of crime statistics to protect students and employees.
Cost of failure:
Too often, college leaders are unaware of the risks involved with noncompliance. Liberty University’s record $14 million fine earlier this year underscores those risks. Liberty’s leadership acted as a barrier to compliance, endangering their campus community, and the resulting fine and media scrutiny caused immeasurable reputational damage.
Common pitfalls:
Lack of Resources: Institutions often lack qualified staff and effective internal controls to meet Clery Act requirements.
Training Deficits: Practitioners frequently need more training and resources to effectively implement the Act's mandates.
Risks of noncompliance:
Safety: Uninformed students and staff can't access essential safety resources, increasing their vulnerability.
Financial: Institutions face fines of up to $69,733 per Clery Act violation.
Reputation: Noncompliance leads to public scrutiny, potentially affecting enrollment and trust.
"Navigating Clery Act compliance is not just administrative, it’s a vital leadership responsibility....
...Institutions face fines of up to $69,733"
What leaders can do:
Educate Yourself: Understand how Clery Act requirements impact campus policies, especially in light of new Title IX regulations. Recognize how these policies prepare your community for various threats and support survivors of violence.
Support Your Team: Engage with those responsible for Clery Act compliance on your campus. Address their needs and concerns to bridge gaps in security and compliance.
Promote Awareness: Highlight the importance of the Clery Act in your campus communications, both internally and externally. Connect your institution's campus safety work to your mission during major events and traditions.
The bottom line:
Navigating Clery Act compliance is not just administrative—it is a vital leadership responsibility. Your proactive engagement empowers your campus safety staff, mitigates risks, and protects your institution from financial and reputational damage. Transform compliance into a cornerstone of trust and safety for your campus community.
Clery Act Violations continue and are costly.
According to the 2024 California State Clery Audit, UC Santa Cruz, among other institutions, faced many violations. The findings include:
Deficiencies in reported and documented incidents
Failure to maintain proper records of safety procedures and training
Incomplete or inaccurate crime logs
In addition, the audit report found that 41 California schools over the past 21 years were also found to be non-compliant with Clery Act requirements.
In March of 2024, the U.S. Department of Education imposed a $14 million fine against Liberty University for Clery Act violations.
4 fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/functionalarea/Overview%20of%20Title%20IV
5 www.clerycenter.org/what-we-do
6 www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-departmenteducation-imposes-14-million-fine-against-libertyuniversity-clery-act-violations