The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), 20 USC § 1092(f), is a comprehensive campus safety law for nearly all public and private institutions of higher education across the United States.
In order to comply your institution needs to rely upon regulatory and other guidance published by the U.S. Department of Education which we have gathered here in one place for easy reference. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact us at cleryquestions@safecampuses.biz.
Federal Regulations
The Education Department has issued formal regulations, which have the force of law, containing instructions on how to comply with the Clery Act. They are written in a plain language format and are essential reading for officials involved with Clery Act compliance. These links are to the most current version found in the Code of Federal Regulations (via eCFR).
- Institutional security policies and crime statistics (34 CFR § 668.46)
- Institutional fire safety policies and fire statistics (34 CFR § 668.49)
- Reporting and disclosure of information (34 CFR § 668.41)
- Crime Definitions in Accordance With the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program (Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 668)
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program
Both the Clery Act statute and implementing regulations require institutions to use crime definitions drawn from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program for disclosing crime statistics and making timely warnings. The current regulations require drawing on definitions from three different manuals each of which provides significant guidance and context essential to officials responsible for classifying and counting Clery offenses.
- Summary Reporting System (SRS) User Manual Version 1.0 (June 20, 2013)
- For murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, liquor law violations, drug law violations, and illegal weapons possession.
- National Incident-Based Reporting System User Manual
- For fondling, incest, and statutory rape.
- Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and Training Manual Version 3.0 (March 1, 2022)
- For the hate crimes of larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation, and destruction/damage/vandalism of property.
- Clery Act Crime Definitions (Compiled from Federal regulations)
Sub-regulatory Guidance
Since 1991 the U.S. Department of Education has, in addition to regulations, published various sub-regulatory guidance material providing additional instructions on how to comply with federal campus safety reporting requirements. The most recent was published in 2020 and prior to that in 2016.
- Clery Act Appendix for FSA Handbook
- Published in 2020 following the recision of the 2016 Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting.
- The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, 2016 Edition (Rescinded 2020)
- Per the “Rescission of and Replacement for the 2016 Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting (Updated Jan. 19, 2021)“ the Education Department “recognizes that many Clery practitioners have become accustomed to the 2016 edition, as well as previous editions, and may continue to rely on it for direction.”
Last updated April 28, 2024.
