The furor over Ms Clery's death, and the widespread perception that colleges and universities were covering up crime on campus, lead Congress to pass the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. This law mandated records keeping and crime reporting requirements for colleges and universities which received federal funding. Every student and employee had to be provided with the report, and any applicant for employment or any prospective student had to be provided with the report upon request. In 1998, Congress strengthened the law and changed the title to the Clery Act, in memory of Jeanne Clery. The Department of Education conducts inspections to ensure compliance with the Clery Act.
Federal law provides penalties for non-compliance.
Colleges and universities found to be in violation of the Clery Act have been subjected to monetary fines, and more importantly, have been the subject of negative and damaging publicity in the news media. Forewarned is forearmed. You will receive a copy of the Annual Security Report in August. We encourage you to take a few minutes and read it. By The Numbers column in The Safety Shield.