Campus Safety Regulations Matter
One important regulation that colleges and universities must adhere to is the Clery Act.
What is the Clery Act?
For those unfamiliar with the Clery Act, colleges and universities must disclose campus crime statistics, safety policies, and procedures to help mitigate safety threats to the campus community.
Why is this important?
Non-compliance with the Clery Act can result in significant legal and financial repercussions for institutions, including fines and loss of federal funding.
Recent fines
The most high-profile case is Liberty University, which was ordered to pay a $14MM fine in March 2024 for violating the Clery Act. This penalty was the largest fine levied under this legislation, yet the non-compliance trend continues.
Next up – 2024 State of California Clery Audit
According to a recent article from the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the California State Auditor reviewed multiple institutions, including CSU Chico, Imperial Valley College, Mount Saint Mary's University, Orange Coast College and UC Santa Cruz.
What are the California audit findings?
According to the 2024 California State Clery Audit, UC Santa Cruz among other institutions faced a litany of 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 noncompliant with Clery Act requirements.
What can be done?
College leadership and fiduciaries should support training and awareness
Colleges and universities must enhance their reporting mechanisms
Executives and Boards should be familiar with the A President's Guide to the Clery Act
Visit the The Clery Center for more helpful tools and resources
Students, parents, and staff expect transparency and accountability regarding campus safety, but failing to meet these expectations can lead to a loss of confidence in the institution's ability to provide a safe and supportive environment.
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