Campus Security Compliance
The Complete Clery Act Compliance Guide for Campus Security [2026]
Everything campus security professionals need to know about Clery Act requirements, CSA training, Annual Security Reports, and the new Stop Campus Hazing Act.
The Clery Act requires all Title IV institutions (approximately 5,800 colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid) to disclose campus crime statistics, maintain daily crime logs, issue timely warnings, and publish an Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1 each year. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $71,545 per violation—Liberty University was fined a record $14 million in 2024.
New for 2025-2026: The Stop Campus Hazing Act expands Clery requirements to include hazing statistics and transparency reports. First compliance deadline: December 23, 2025.
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1. What Is the Clery Act?
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act—commonly known as the Clery Act—is a federal law requiring colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Originally enacted as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, the law was renamed in 1998 to honor Jeanne Clery, a 19-year-old Lehigh University freshman who was raped and murdered in her campus residence hall in 1986.
The Clery Act is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education and applies to virtually all institutions of higher education—public, private, and for-profit—that participate in Title IV federal student financial aid programs. As of the 2023-24 academic year, this includes approximately 5,800 institutions across the United States.
The law was significantly expanded by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2013, which added requirements for reporting domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Most recently, the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 further amended the law to require hazing statistics and transparency reports—renaming it the “Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.”
Brief History of the Clery Act
The tragedy that inspired this legislation occurred on April 5, 1986. Jeanne Clery was asleep in her residence hall room at Lehigh University when a fellow student, who had entered through a series of propped-open doors, robbed, raped, sodomized, and strangled her. Her parents, Connie and Howard Clery, later discovered that 38 violent crimes had occurred on the Lehigh campus in the three years before their daughter’s murder—information the university had never disclosed to students or their families.
The Clerys founded Security on Campus, Inc. (now the Clery Center) and successfully lobbied for the passage of the original Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act. Over the decades, the law has been amended multiple times to expand its scope and strengthen its requirements:
| Year | Amendment | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act | Original law requiring crime statistics disclosure |
| 1992 | Campus Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights | Added sexual assault reporting requirements |
| 1998 | Renamed Jeanne Clery Act | Added timely warning requirements, expanded crime categories |
| 2008 | Higher Education Opportunity Act | Added emergency notification requirements, hate crime categories |
| 2013 | Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) | Added domestic violence, dating violence, stalking reporting |
| 2024 | Stop Campus Hazing Act | Added hazing statistics, transparency reports; renamed law |
2. Who Must Comply With the Clery Act?
The Clery Act applies to all Title IV institutions—any postsecondary institution that participates in federal student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This includes public universities and colleges, private non-profit institutions, for-profit institutions, graduate and professional schools, and community colleges and technical schools.
- 5,819 Title IV institutions in the 2023-24 academic year
- Down from 7,253 institutions in 2012-13 (due to closures and consolidations)
- Includes 2,637 four-year and 1,294 two-year institutions
- Every institution receiving federal financial aid must comply—no exceptions
Key Personnel Responsible for Compliance
| Role | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Campus Police/Security Chief | Daily crime log maintenance, timely warnings, emergency notifications, crime statistics collection |
| Clery Compliance Officer | ASR compilation and publication, DOE submissions, CSA training, policy development |
| Title IX Coordinator | VAWA crime reporting coordination, sexual violence policy compliance |
| Campus Security Authorities | Crime reporting from across campus—includes RAs, coaches, advisors, and others |
| Dean of Students | Student conduct referrals, hazing prevention programs, student organization oversight |
Institutional vs. Individual Liability: While fines are assessed against the institution (not individuals), a 2024 California State Auditor report found that 5 out of 6 institutions audited had significant compliance gaps. Designating a single Clery Compliance Coordinator with institution-wide authority is considered a best practice.
3. Core Clery Act Requirements
The Clery Act establishes several distinct compliance requirements that institutions must meet. Understanding each requirement—and how they interconnect—is essential for maintaining full compliance.
Annual Security Report (ASR)
Comprehensive annual publication with 3 years of crime statistics, security policies, and prevention programs. Due October 1 each year.
Daily Crime Log
Record of all crimes reported to campus security. Must be updated within 2 business days. Most recent 60 days publicly accessible.
Timely Warnings
Alerts issued when Clery crimes pose an ongoing threat to campus community. Must enable community to protect themselves.
Emergency Notifications
Immediate notifications for significant emergencies or dangerous situations threatening health and safety.
Campus Security Authorities
Designated individuals across campus who must report crimes. Requires annual training and clear identification.
Clery Geography
Defined campus boundaries where crimes must be reported: on-campus, public property, and non-campus property.
4. Annual Security Report (ASR) Requirements
The Annual Security Report (ASR) is the cornerstone of Clery Act compliance. Every Title IV institution must publish and distribute an ASR by October 1 each year.
Crime Statistics (Three Years)
- Criminal offenses (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson)
- Hate crimes (crimes motivated by bias)
- VAWA offenses (domestic violence, dating violence, stalking)
- Arrests and referrals for liquor, drug, and weapons violations
- NEW (2026 ASR): Hazing statistics (per Stop Campus Hazing Act)
Required Policy Statements
- Campus security procedures and crime reporting policies
- Timely warning and emergency notification policies
- Access to campus facilities and law enforcement authority
- Security awareness and crime prevention programs
- Alcohol, drug, sexual assault, and VAWA policies
- Missing student notification procedures
- NEW (June 2025): Hazing prevention policies
Email alone is acceptable. The Department of Education confirms that emailing the ASR notification to all enrolled students and current employees satisfies the distribution requirement. Maintain documentation of your distribution method and recipient lists.
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Shop All Badges →6. Clery Geography Explained
Clery Geography defines the physical locations where crimes must be tracked and reported. The Clery Act defines three distinct geographic categories:
| Geography Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus | Buildings or property owned/controlled by the institution within the same reasonably contiguous area | Academic buildings, residence halls, student centers, libraries, athletic facilities |
| On-Campus Student Housing | Residential facilities for students (reported separately AND as part of on-campus totals) | Dormitories, residence halls, on-campus apartments, Greek housing owned by institution |
| Non-Campus | Buildings/property owned by institution but not contiguous, OR owned by recognized student organizations | Satellite campuses, research facilities, off-campus Greek houses, study abroad locations |
| Public Property | Public property immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus | City sidewalks bordering campus, public streets through campus, public transit stops |
Common Geography Questions: Off-campus apartments NOT owned by the institution are NOT Clery Geography. Privately-owned Greek houses are Clery Geography only if officially recognized. Study abroad locations are non-campus property. Online-only students do not create Clery Geography obligations.
Best practice is to maintain a detailed Clery Geography map reviewed and updated annually. Work with facilities, real estate, and study abroad offices to ensure comprehensive coverage.
7. Clery Reportable Crimes
The Clery Act requires institutions to report specific categories of crimes using FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions—not state law definitions.
Criminal Offenses
| Crime | UCR Definition Summary |
|---|---|
| Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter | Willful killing of one human being by another |
| Manslaughter by Negligence | Killing through gross negligence |
| Rape | Penetration without consent (includes attempts) |
| Fondling | Touching of private body parts without consent |
| Robbery | Taking property by force or threat |
| Aggravated Assault | Attack with intent to inflict severe bodily injury |
| Burglary | Unlawful entry of structure to commit felony or theft |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle |
| Arson | Willful or malicious burning of property |
VAWA Offenses (Added 2013)
The Violence Against Women Act amendments require reporting of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking.
Hate Crimes and Arrests/Referrals
Any above crimes plus larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation, and vandalism must be reported as hate crimes if motivated by bias. Additionally, report arrests and disciplinary referrals for liquor, drug, and weapons violations.
NEW for 2026: The Stop Campus Hazing Act adds hazing as a reportable category. The first ASR including hazing statistics will be due October 1, 2026.
8. Daily Crime Log Requirements
Any institution with a campus police or security department must maintain a written daily crime log including all crimes reported—not just Clery crimes.
| Requirement | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| New entries must be recorded | Within 2 business days of the report |
| Most recent 60 days | Open for public inspection during normal business hours |
| Older entries | Available within 2 business days of request |
| Retention period | 7 years |
Each entry must include: nature of the crime, date/time occurred, date/time reported, general location, and disposition (if known).
9. Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications
| Element | Timely Warning | Emergency Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Clery crime posing ongoing threat | Significant emergency or danger |
| Scope | Clery crimes only | Any emergency (crime or non-crime) |
| Purpose | Aid prevention of similar crimes | Enable immediate protective action |
| Examples | Serial burglaries, sexual assault pattern | Active shooter, gas leak, tornado |
Testing Requirements: Institutions must test their emergency notification systems at least annually. Document all tests including date, time, whether announced/unannounced, and description.
10. Stop Campus Hazing Act [NEW 2024]
The Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law on December 23, 2024. It amends the Clery Act to add hazing-specific requirements and officially renames the law the “Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.”
Four Key Requirements
1. Hazing Statistics in ASR
Beginning October 2026, report hazing incidents like other Clery crimes.
2. Hazing Prevention Policies
By June 23, 2025, publish hazing prevention policies including federal and state definitions.
3. Campus Hazing Transparency Report
By December 23, 2025 (annually), submit report to DOE with hazing incidents and outcomes.
4. Biennial Review Expansion
Drug-Free Schools biennial review must now include hazing prevention assessment.
Compliance Timeline
| Deadline | Requirement |
|---|---|
| December 23, 2024 | Law enacted—begin planning |
| June 23, 2025 | Hazing prevention policies published |
| December 23, 2025 | First Campus Hazing Transparency Report due |
| October 1, 2026 | First ASR with hazing statistics |
11. Violations and Penalties
The Department of Education enforces Clery Act compliance through its Federal Student Aid (FSA) office. Penalties for violations can be substantial.
| Penalty Type | Amount (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per Violation (Tier 1) | $71,545 | Serious violations, repeat offenders |
| Per Violation (Tier 2) | $36,439 | Lesser violations, first-time offenders |
| Maximum Total | No Cap | Multiple violations can result in multi-million dollar fines |
Most Common Violations
Based on DOE enforcement actions: failure to identify/train CSAs, inaccurate crime statistics, incomplete ASR, daily crime log deficiencies, failure to issue timely warnings, and incorrect Clery Geography definitions.
Reputational Damage: Beyond financial penalties, Clery violations generate significant negative publicity. DOE enforcement actions are public records, and major fines attract national media coverage. The reputational impact can affect enrollment, donations, and institutional standing.
12. Clery Act Compliance Checklist
Use these checklists to assess and maintain your institution’s Clery Act compliance.
Annual Security Report (ASR) Checklist
- Published by October 1 deadline
- Contains 3 years of crime statistics
- Statistics broken down by Clery Geography
- All required policy statements included
- VAWA crimes included
- Hate crime statistics included
- Fire safety report included (residential institutions)
- Notification sent to all current students and employees
- Notice available to prospective students and employees
Daily Crime Log Checklist
- Maintained by campus police/security department
- Entries made within 2 business days of report
- Each entry includes: nature, date/time occurred, date/time reported, location, disposition
- Most recent 60 days available for public inspection
- Older entries available within 2 business days of request
- All crimes reported to campus security included
- Log retained for 7 years
Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications Checklist
- Policy for issuing timely warnings documented in ASR
- Policy for emergency notifications documented in ASR
- Clear criteria for when warnings/notifications are issued
- Designated personnel authorized to issue alerts
- Multiple communication methods available
- Emergency notification system tested at least annually
- Test results documented
Campus Security Authorities (CSA) Checklist
- All CSAs identified across campus
- CSA list reviewed and updated at least annually
- All CSAs notified of their status and responsibilities
- Training provided to all CSAs annually
- Training records maintained
- Clear reporting mechanism for CSAs
- CSA reports collected and included in crime statistics
Stop Campus Hazing Act Checklist (NEW 2025-2026)
- Hazing prevention policy developed and published (due June 23, 2025)
- Policy includes federal definition of hazing
- Policy includes applicable state law definitions
- Hazing incidents being tracked for ASR reporting
- Campus Hazing Transparency Report submitted annually (first due December 23, 2025)
- Report includes organization names and outcomes
- Biennial review updated to include hazing prevention assessment
- CSAs trained on hazing reporting requirements
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13. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Clery Act in simple terms?
The Clery Act is a federal law requiring colleges and universities that receive federal financial aid to report campus crime statistics, maintain a daily crime log, issue timely warnings about threats, and publish an Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1 each year. The law is named after Jeanne Clery, a college student who was murdered in her dorm room in 1986.
Who is considered a Campus Security Authority (CSA)?
A CSA is any campus police or security staff, any individual with security responsibilities (like parking enforcement), any official with significant responsibility for student activities (deans, RAs, coaches, student organization advisors), or anyone the institution designates as a person to whom crimes should be reported. Faculty members without student activity responsibilities are generally not CSAs.
What crimes must be reported under the Clery Act?
The Clery Act requires reporting of murder, manslaughter, rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and hate crimes. Institutions must also report arrests and disciplinary referrals for liquor, drug, and weapons violations. Starting in 2026, hazing must also be reported.
What is Clery Geography?
Clery Geography defines where crimes must be reported. It includes three categories: on-campus property (buildings and grounds owned/controlled by the institution for educational purposes), non-campus property (buildings owned by the institution but not on main campus, like satellite locations or Greek houses), and public property immediately adjacent to campus (sidewalks, streets). Student housing is a subset of on-campus that must be reported separately.
What is the penalty for Clery Act violations?
Penalties can reach $71,545 per violation as of 2025. There is no maximum cap, so multiple violations can result in multi-million dollar fines. Liberty University was fined a record $14 million in 2024. In extreme cases, the Department of Education can also limit, suspend, or terminate an institution’s eligibility for federal financial aid.
When is the Annual Security Report due?
The ASR must be published and distributed to all current students and employees by October 1 each year. The ASR must include crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years. Prospective students and employees must be notified of the ASR’s availability and given a URL to access it.
What is the difference between a Timely Warning and an Emergency Notification?
Timely Warnings are issued for Clery crimes that pose an ongoing threat to the campus community, with the purpose of helping community members protect themselves from similar crimes. Emergency Notifications are issued for any significant emergency or dangerous situation (not just crimes) threatening health or safety, such as active shooters, severe weather, or hazardous material spills. Emergency Notifications require immediate action and may target only the affected segment of campus.
What is the Stop Campus Hazing Act?
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a 2024 amendment to the Clery Act that adds hazing as a reportable crime category. It requires institutions to publish hazing prevention policies by June 2025, submit annual Campus Hazing Transparency Reports starting December 2025, and include hazing statistics in ASRs starting October 2026. The law also officially renamed the Clery Act to the “Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.”
How often must CSA training be conducted?
While the Clery Act does not specify a training frequency, best practice is to train all CSAs annually. The Department of Education expects institutions to provide adequate training for CSAs to fulfill their responsibilities. Training should cover Clery crime definitions, reporting procedures, Clery Geography, and victim confidentiality considerations. Institutions should maintain documentation of who was trained and when.
14. Additional Resources
The following official resources are essential for Clery Act compliance professionals:
- DOE Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting — The definitive guide to Clery compliance, updated regularly by the Department of Education
- Clery Center (clerycenter.org) — Founded by Jeanne Clery’s parents, offers training, webinars, and compliance resources
- Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool — DOE database to compare crime statistics across institutions
- 34 CFR 668.46 — The federal regulation implementing the Clery Act
- IACLEA (International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators) — Professional association offering Clery training and best practices
- 5,800+ institutions must comply with the Clery Act—any school receiving federal financial aid
- The Annual Security Report must be published by October 1 each year with 3 years of crime statistics
- Daily crime logs must be updated within 2 business days and made publicly available
- Campus Security Authorities extend beyond police—RAs, coaches, and student organization advisors are typically CSAs
- Fines can reach $71,545 per violation with no maximum cap (Liberty University was fined $14M in 2024)
- The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) adds new hazing reporting requirements effective 2025-2026
- Proper Clery Geography mapping is essential—crimes must be tracked by on-campus, non-campus, and public property categories
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