7.08 Clery Act Compliance

Purpose

The University of Northern Iowa is committed to providing a safe learning, working, and living environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This policy supports the commitment by providing university-wide guidance regarding the requirements and regulations of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The Clery Act, originally known as the Campus Security Act, is a landmark federal law that requires most public and private United States colleges and universities to disclose statistics about crime on their Clery-defined geography and information about safety and security policies.  The U.S. Department of Education oversees Clery Act compliance.

Chapter 7: Public Safety

Policy Statement

The University of Northern Iowa will comply with the Clery Act by:

  • Establishing systems to allow students and employees to voluntarily and anonymously notify appropriate personnel of crimes on and around campus;
  • Identifying, notifying, and provide training to campus security authorities (CSAs);
  • Ensuring that necessary procedures are in place and implemented to comply with the Clery Act;
  • Publishing the Annual Security & Fire Report as required by the Department of Education

Annual Security & Fire Report (ASFR)

The Clery Act requires postsecondary institutions participating in the Higher Education Act’s Title IV student financial assistance programs to annually publish a report containing the campus safety policy statements and Clery crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years. The report also includes information and policy statements regarding campus security and safety, for example, crime prevention, security awareness, fire safety, alcohol, substance abuse, sexual assault, procedures for reporting a crime, and emergency and evacuation procedures, as well as other matters of importance to the campus community. The Annual Security Report (ASR) may be filed separately or combined with the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR), together known as the ASFR.  ASFRs and supporting documents are retained for seven (7) years per U.S. Department of Education requirements.

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs)

CSAs are an important part of the reporting required under the Clery Act.  The University of Northern Iowa will identify and inform CSAs of their responsibilities and provide them with institutional training to perform their role as a CSA. Upon learning of a potential Clery-reportable crime, the CSA should only collect relevant information about the Clery crime and should not conduct an independent investigation or seek to apprehend perpetrators of such crimes.

CSA responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Reporting, immediately or as soon as reasonably practicable, to the Clery Compliance Officer any Clery Act crimes or other criminal incidents of which they have been made aware or witnessed, including information regarding:
    • When the crime or incident occurred;
    • When the crime or incident was reported;
    • Where the crime or incident occurred; and
    • The nature or description of the crime or incident.
  • A CSA is not a confidential resource. Therefore, the CSA is encouraged to inform victims of crimes of their confidential resources, including professional counselors.

Additional Information

Campus Security Authority Report Form

Clery Compliance Officer, approved February 2, 2023
University Council, approved April 10, 2023
President and President’s Cabinet, approved April 24, 2023 
[Last reviewed and/or updated: 4/2023]