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Clery Act 101

What is the Clery Act?

The Jeanne Clery Act (commonly referred to as “Clery” or the “Clery Act”) is a consumer protection law passed by Congress that requires institutions of higher education to be more transparent about campus safety policies, procedures, and crime statistics. Congress initially enacted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act in 1990. 

The act has been amended numerous times, with the 1998 amendments renaming the law the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The Clery Act) in memory of a student who was sexually assaulted and murdered in her university dorm room. The Clery Act was expanded in 2013 by the Campus SaVE Act, which broadened Clery requirements regarding incidents of sexual violence (including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking).

What does the Clery Act require?

The Clery Act requires all post-secondary institutions, both public and private, participating in federal student assistance programs to:

  • Collect, classify, and count crime reports and crime statistics.
  • Publish an annual security report.
  • Maintain a daily crime log of certain alleged criminal incidents.
  • Issue campus alerts to promote campus health and safety.
  • Disclose policies and procedures for institutional disciplinary action in cases of sexual violence.
  • Provide educational programs and campaigns to promote the awareness of various types of sexual violence.
  • Provide victims of certain crimes with an explanation of their rights.
  • Disclose missing student notification procedures and fire safety information.

Where can I find the UTD crime logs and security reports?

Pursuant to the Clery Act, UTD must disclose the most recent three years of Clery crime statistics and security policies in an Annual Security Report that is published each year. Currently enrolled students and employees are notified of the availability of the Annual Security Report. Prospective students and employees are eligible to receive the Annual Security Report. The general public also has access to the Annual Security Report and the Daily Crime Log, which are available on the UTD Police Department website.

What University locations are covered by the Clery Act?

Where a crime occurs is central to Clery compliance. Clery crime statistics are reported geographically according to the following categories: on campus, within buildings owned or controlled by UTD, and on public property adjacent to campus. Collectively, these areas are often referred to as “Clery Act geography” or “Clery geography.”

Crimes that occur within Clery geography must be reported under the Clery Act. For example, crimes that occur at certain non-campus facilities, such as locations owned or controlled by recognized student organizations, must be reported. Crimes that do not occur within Clery geography, however, are not included in Clery Act statistics, even if UTD students or employees are involved.

Who is required to report under the Clery Act?

All institutional officials with significant responsibility for campus and student activities are referred to in the Clery Act as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).  All CSAs have reporting obligations under the Clery Act. UTD has four general categories of CSAs:

  • University Police – The UT Dallas Police Department is responsible for reporting crimes and gathering crime statistics and therefore most of its members are CSAs.
  • Any individual who is responsible for an aspect of campus security but who does not constitute or is not a member of the University Police (i.e. Residence Hall Lobby Monitors or as specified in UTD’s Clery Act Compliance Policy (UTDBP3112).
  • Any faculty member who serves as a sponsor or advisor of a student organization.
  • University officials who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities.

If you are a CSA and need to report an incident, visit the UTD Police Department website.

What crimes are covered by the Clery Act?

The Clery Act does not require UTD to disclose all types of crime occurring within the institution’s Clery geography. Instead, the law requires the institution to disclose the following specific types of crimes: aggravated assault, arson, burglary, motor vehicle theft, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and hate crimes (for above offenses as well as larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation, and destruction/damage or vandalism of property), and arrests and referrals for disciplinary action related to liquor law violations, drug law violations, and illegal weapon possession.

Any Clery crime listed above that is reported to a CSA must immediately be reported to the UTD Police Department. For additional information and definitions for the crimes listed above, visit the UTD Police Department website.

Who do l contact for more information?

Compliance with the Clery Act promotes a safe and informed campus community. Failure to comply can result in risks for the campus community as well as large financial fines.  Clery Act compliance is an institutional responsibility and requires individual work to support all facets of compliance.

If you would like more information about the Clery Act or have additional questions, please contact the UTD Police Department:

Main Number: 972-883-2222
Emergency: Call 911
Email: police@utdallas.edu

800 W. Campbell Road, PD11
Richardson, TX 75080