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Clery information

What is the Jeanne Clery Act?

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), as part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. All public and private institutions of postsecondary education participating in federal student-aid programs are subject to this requirement.
The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to:

  • Publish an annual report disclosing campus security policies and documenting three calendar years of select campus crime statistics.
  • Provide crime statistics to the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Issue timely warnings about Clery Act crimes that pose a serious or ongoing threat to students and employees.
  • Keep a public crime log accessible to the public.
  • Uphold basic rights for survivors of sexual assault.

Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics include those reported to the University of Washington Police Department, those designated as campus security authorities, and law enforcement agencies who provide services to University of Washington owned and leased properties.

The Clery Act is named in memory of 19-year-old Lehigh University freshman Jeanne Ann Clery, who was raped and murdered on April 5, 1986, while asleep in her residence hall room. Her parents, Connie and Howard Clery, later discovered that students hadn’t been told about 38 violent crimes on the Lehigh campus in the three years before her murder. They joined with other campus crime victims and persuaded Congress to enact this law, which was originally known as the “Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990.” A 1998 amendment formally named the law in memory of Jeanne Clery.

Campus Security Authority (CSA)

Campus Security Authority (CSA) are individuals and organizations at the University who, because of their function for the University, have an obligation under the Clery Act to notify the University of alleged Clery Act Crimes that are reported to them or alleged Clery Act Crimes that they may personally witness.

Under the Clery Act, a crime is “reported” when it is brought to the attention of a Campus Security Authority or local law enforcement personnel by a victim, witness, other third party or even the offender. It doesn’t matter whether or not the individuals involved in the crime, or reporting the crime, are associated with the University.

WHO IS A CSA?

These individuals typically fall under one of the following categories:

  1. A member of a campus police/security department. Example: University of Washington Police Department.
  2. Individuals having responsibility for campus security in some capacity but are not members of a campus police/security department. Example: an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance to University property (Gatehouse personnel).
  3. People or offices that are not members of a campus police/security department, but where policy directs individuals to report criminal offenses to them or their office. Examples: Title IX Office, Community Standards and Student Conduct.
  4. Officials having significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings. Examples: Athletic Directors, Athletic Coaches, Faculty advisors to student organizations, Resident Assistants, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

WHO is not a CSA?

When acting within the scope of the official responsibilities, Pastoral Counselors and Professional Counselors are not CSAs.

Individuals who do not have significant responsibility for student and campus activities are not CSAs. Examples: faculty members not responsible for student and campus activities beyond the classroom, and clerical or dining facility staff.

CSA training

Campus Security Authority (CSA) training is an annual requirement. Those with responsibility for campus security in whole or part are identified by their Division heads as CSAs. Individuals responsible for student and campus activities and others, as a result of their role at the University, may also be classified as CSAs under the Clery Act; this means they have specific crime reporting obligations under the law.

The UW Clery Compliance Officer, or delegate, will manage annual training for the Seattle campus CSAs. The training is coordinated with our partner, Grand River Solutions, from assignment through completion. If you have questions about CSA training, please email clery@uw.edu.

CSA reporting responsibilities

If a Campus Security Authority receives information of alleged Clery Act crime and believes it was provided in good faith, or personally witnesses an alleged Clery Act Crime, he or she should report the crime directly to the University Police or via the CSA Crime Report Form.

The Campus Security Authority can refer to the Clery Crime Classification form to assist in determining if the alleged crime is a Clery Act crime, as well as the definitions of Clery Act Crimes and Clery Act Geography (Clery Reportable Location).

Please note that it is NOT the role of the CSA to investigate the allegation in an attempt to determine whether the crime occurred and/or confront or apprehend the alleged perpetrator of the crime. That is the role of law enforcement.

If you are a CSA and receive a report of an incident that poses a serious and continuing threat to the safety of the UW campus community, call 911 immediately. The intent is for the University to issue a Timely Warning, even if we don’t have all of the facts surrounding the criminal incident. The University can provide updates as information becomes available.

Resources for Campus Security Authorities (CSAs)

UW Clery Committee

The UW Clery Committee was created in 2012 and reports to the Vice President of Campus Community Safety. The committee’s charge is to advise the Vice President of Campus Community Safety and other University leaders on issued related to compliance with the Clery Act. The committee works collaboratively with campus departments and stakeholders to meet the goal of annual compliance with the law.

The UW Clery Committee members include representatives from the following departments: Attorney General’s Office, Bothell Security, Community Standards & Student Conduct, Environmental Health & Safety, Emergency Management, Facilities Services, Global Affairs, Harborview Security, Health & Wellness, Human Resources, Intercollegiate Athletics, International Programs and Exchanges, Office of the Registrar, SafeCampus, Title IX, UWMC Security and UW Police Department.

For information about the next UW Clery Committee meeting, please email clery@uw.edu.