Clery Act Compliance
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires higher education institutions to publicly report crimes that occur on their campuses. In compliance with the Clery Act, Arcadia University publishes an annual security report containing important safety information and crime statistics for the previous three years within set geographic boundaries. This data includes crimes that have occurred on campus, in certain non-campus buildings or properties that are owned or controlled by Arcadia University, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.
The U.S. Department of Education Handbook for Campus Crime Reporting assists universities and colleges in meeting the Clery Act requirements. Under the law, a crime is reported when a victim, witness, other third party, or even the offender brings it to the attention of a Campus Security Authority (CSA) or local law enforcement officer. A CSA is an individual within the Arcadia community who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. CSAs should report crimes immediately by calling 215-572-2999 or extension 2999 and complete a CSA Incident Report Form.
Clery Compliance Committee
Arcadia University has established a multi-person Clery Act Compliance Committee that is responsible for the comprehensive oversight, review, revision, and implementation of all University policies and procedures as required by the Clery Act. The committee’s vision includes: create a sophisticated, cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team to manage compliance with the Clery Act. Our mission is to: ensure that the appropriate campus constituents will collaborate in the coordination of compliance activities to support institutional awareness and compliance with the Clery Act. The committee’s ultimate goal is to: (1) facilitate coordinated communication of requirements, gathering and reporting information; (2) supporting training to mitigate compliance risks and nurture a culture of reporting that increases campus safety: and (3) ensure Arcadia University complies with both the regulations and spirit of the Clery Act.
The Clery Compliance Committee consists of the below units and meets quarterly to remain compliant.
- Public Safety (Chair)
- Title IX/OECR (Co Chair)
- General Counsel
- Community Standards and Conduct
- Residence Life
- Student Health Services
- Counseling and Wellness Center
- Campus Life/Student Affairs
- Global Studies
- Sexual Violence and Prevention
Campus Security Authorities
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”) is a federal law that requires colleges and universities, including Arcadia University, to disclose statistics concerning the occurrence of certain criminal offenses that are reported either to local law enforcement agencies or to any official of the University who is defined as a “Campus Security Authority.” A Campus Security Authority includes “[a]n official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” Campus Security Authorities are obligated by law to report crimes to the University Public Safety department. In addition, our University has a responsibility to notify the campus community about any crimes which pose an ongoing threat to the community. If there are any questions, please contact Ruth A. Evans, Director of Public Safety at 215-572-2187. Thank you for your assistance in complying with these important federal requirements.
CSAs are members of Public Safety, Campus Life, Community Standards and Conduct, Housing, Athletics, Gateway Officials, Student Engagement, Human Resources, AEDI, Faculty Advisors to Student Organizations, Health Services, Counseling Center, Title IX, and Sexual Violence and Prevention.
We are required to report the crimes regardless of whether the victim chooses to file the incident with law enforcement or to press charges. If Campus Security Authorities have any doubt as to whether an incident is reportable, they must err on the side of reporting and do so as soon as possible. To report an incident, contact the Department of Public Safety at extensions 2800 or 2999. Campus Security Authorities should not investigate the crime or attempt to determine whether a crime took place.
The Department of Public Safety will contact them if any additional information is needed.
The University is required to disclose statistics for offenses that occur (1) on campus, including the main campus and University City, (2) in or on non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our school, and (3) public property within or immediately adjacent to our campus (e.g., streets, sidewalks and parking areas).
The criminal offenses that should be reported are:
- Murder, negligent and non-negligent manslaughter
- Sex offenses including rape, fondling, incest and statutory rape
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Arson
- All liquor, drug or weapons violations resulting in arrest or referral for disciplinary action
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
We are also required to report statistics for hate crimes. For purposes of reporting, please report any crime as a hate crime where there is any indication that the victim was selected because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Campus Security Authorities should tell a person who comes to them to report a crime that they are required to report the incident to the University Department of Public Safety for data collection and reporting. They should inform the individual that if he or she requests confidentiality, the report will not include identifying information, but that if it is an incident of sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator will be informed of the victim’s identity and be notified that the victim wishes to maintain confidentiality. If there are any questions, please contact Ruth A. Evans, Director of Public Safety, at 215-572- 2187. Thank you for your assistance in complying with these important federal requirements.
Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting
The Pennsylvania College and University Security Act of 1988 governs the responsibility of Pennsylvania institutions of higher education to report crime statistics and rates and to provide descriptions of security policies and procedures to applicants, matriculated students and employees. Each institution is required annually to report crime statistics and crime rates (per 100,000 FTE students and employees) to the State Police for publication in the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Report (UCR). Colleges and universities are required to maintain a daily log of campus crime activity and make it available for public review.
If you believe there has been a violation of one or more of the provisions of the Pennsylvania College and University Security Information Act, you may file a complaint at the Department of Public Safety. The complaint will be forwarded to the Director of Public Safety, who will respond in writing to the complainant within five business days from the date the complaint is received. If, after receiving the reply to the complaint, you still feel that a violation has been committed and not corrected, you may appeal to the Vice President for Finance (CFO).
Daily Fire and Crime Log
The Division of Public Safety maintains a combined Daily Crime and Fire Log of all incidents reported to the division of Public Safety. This includes all crimes, fire related incidents and other serious incidents that occur on campus, those areas adjacent to the campus, and off campus buildings and residences controlled by the University.
The Daily Crime and Fire Log includes the incident type, date the incident is reported, date and time of occurrence, and general location of each reported incident type as well as the disposition of each incident, if this information is known. The Division of Public Safety posts specific incidents in the Daily Crime and Fire Log within TWO (2) business days of receiving a report of an incident.
The Daily Crime and Fire Log is available on-site at the Public Safety Office, Dilworth Hall, to students, faculty, staff and the general public during regular business hours. The most recent 60-day period is accessible to the public without written request.