A Legal Analysis of Court Cases and Administrative Investigations Related to Violations of the Clery Act: Getting Good from the Bad and the Ugly

College brochures paint pictures of beautiful campuses, diverse student populations, renowned professors, and the best educational programs. What colleges never include in those brochures are the ugly crime statistics. In 2012, higher education institutions reported 41,708 liquor arrests, 20,486 burglaries, 4,837 forcible sex offenses, 951 hate crimes, and 31 murders. The reporting requirement, along with other regulations, has been required of institutions of higher education since 1990 under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, yet so many colleges and universities are facing lawsuits, investigations, settlements, and fines for failing to comply. This legal study examines such lawsuits and investigations for areas of non-compliance resulting in institutional liability. The findings provide guidance for campus officials and policymakers who have the responsibility of administrating campus security at their respective institutions. The study concludes with recommendations to strengthen campus policies and procedures for successful reporting and responding to campus crimes, thereby avoiding liability