Kansas State University

The Annual Security Report: More than federal compliance

Submitted by K-State Clery Compliance

In this final article as part of our recognition of National Campus Safety Awareness Month, we are reviewing why the Clery Act is important and what the Annual Security Report covers.

With fines of up to $54,789 per Clery Act violation, compliance is an issue no college or university can afford to ignore. As such, the Clery Act federal compliance program at K-State is constantly working to increase awareness and understanding of the Clery Act and its requirements. Developing and maintaining a safe and compliant campus environment is the responsibility of the entire K-State community — security personnel, faculty, staff, students and visitors — not just individuals with distinct Clery Act coordination responsibilities.

Commonly referred to as the Clery Act, the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act was signed into law in 1990 with one main purpose — to increase accountability and transparency among colleges and universities. The Clery family championed the law in honor of their daughter, Jeanne, who was brutalized, raped, and murdered by another student during her first year of college in 1986.

Today the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, known as the Clery Act, is a federal law requiring U.S. colleges and universities who receive federal funding to share information about crime on campus, as well as efforts to improve campus safety. The law is classified as a consumer protection law, and is intended to inform the public of crime on and around campuses.

Every Oct. 1, colleges and universities throughout the country notify the campus community of the release of their Annual Security Report, also known as the Clery report. This document highlights how campuses are keeping their community members safer with programming, information and policies; it also gives a three-year snapshot of crime on and around campus.

The 2018 K-State Annual Security Report will be distributed via email notification Monday, Oct. 1. In the Clery Report, you will find the following information:

Crime statistics

• These numbers reflect reports of sexual assaults, hate crimes, alcohol violations, motor vehicle thefts, and dating violence, among other crimes. Some people assume that campuses reporting lower numbers of crimes like sexual assault and dating violence are safer. However, many times the opposite is true. Sexual assault and dating violence are underreported both on and off campus. As a result, higher numbers may indicate that a campus is talking about these crimes regularly and openly communicating how students can report these crimes.

Ways to report

• While all members of the K-State community are encouraged to accurately and promptly report all crimes and other emergencies to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, no later than 24 hours, we know many victims of crimes do not report crimes directly to the police. Instead, a crime victim may decide to tell a colleague, trusted friend, mentor or advisor. As such, a convenient reporting website where reports related to Clery Act crimes; academic violations; code of conduct violations; students of concern; discrimination; harassment, including sexual harassment; domestic violence; dating violence; retaliation; and stalking may be submitted. The Report It webpage may be accessed directly at k-state.edu/report.

Educational programs

• Prevention education and awareness programs related to general crime; fire safety; sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking prevention; bystander intervention; and drug and alcohol abuse education and resources are highlighted in the report.

Information about warnings to the campus community

• When a crime covered by the Clery Act occurs, campus officials evaluate whether there is a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community. If necessary, a Timely Warning is distributed in order for individuals to make informed decisions about their safety.

Applicable campus policies and resources

• Information related to reasonable changes and resources, victim's rights and options for reporting, as well as information on university disciplinary proceedings and key policies related to missing students and emergency notification are also available within the report.

Look for your notification about the publication of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Report) on Monday, Oct. 1.

Any questions regarding the Report It webpage or Clery Act compliance, in general, may be directed to Sarah F. Barrett, coordinator of Clery Act federal compliance, at ksuclery@k-state.edu.