Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act
The Clery Act requires institutions to disclose statistics for reported crimes based on a number of criteria including: WHERE the crime occurred; to WHOM the crime was reported; TYPE of crime that was reported, and YEAR in which the crime was reported.
An Overview of Campus Safety and Security Reporting
Chooing a postsecondary institution is a major decision for students and their families. Along with academic, financial and geographic considerations, the issue of campus safety is a vital concern. In 1990, Congress enacted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Title II of Public Law 101-542), which amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This act required all postsecondary institutions participating in HEA’s Title IV student financial assistance programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security information. The act was amended in 1992, 1998, 2000 and 2008. The 1998 amendments renamed the law the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in memory of a student who was slain in her dorm room in 1986. It is generally referred to as the Clery Act and is in section 485(f) of the HEA.
On March 7, 2013, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) (Public Law 113-14) was signed into law. VAWA includes amendments to the Clery Act. These changes require institutions to disclose statistics, policies and programs related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, among other changes.
Although the HEA is the law that governs the administration of all federal higher education programs, HEA refers only to the Clery Act and other safety- and security-related requirements applicable to institutions under the HEA.
TAMIU reports the crimes required by the Clery Act that occur on or within the University’s Clery Geography that were reported to a CSA, law enforcement agency, and/or the UPD.
Clery Act Crimes
Primary Crimes (UCR Part 1)
The Clery Act requires reporting on seven (7) Primary Crime categories: Criminal Homicide, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, and Arson.
hate Crimes
In addition to the Primary Crimes, defined by the Clery Act, four (4) additional crimes against persons are also reportable when motivated by one or more bias category: Larceny Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, and Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property (expect "arson").
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
VAWA includes amendments to the Clery Act and in August of 2020 new intersections with Title IX.
These changes require institutions to disclose statistics, policies and programs related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Among other changes a strong emphasis on equitable adjudication of allegations, through transparency, for all parties is required.
Weapons, Drug and Liquor Violations
The University enforces all local, State, and Federal laws regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages. TAMIU is in compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989.
Members of the TAMIU community, including students, faculty, staff, as well as visitors to any TAMIU campus location, are prohibited from unlawfully possessing firearms, explosives, weapons, or any item that may be construed as such, on the premises of the University or in any building under University control.
Clery Geography
TAMIU is located on 300 acres in Northeast Laredo along the US-59 corridor. The main campus is completely self-contained with a commonly known address: 5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, TX 78041. For the purposes of USPS and other parcel delivery the on-campus student residences have individual mailing addresses. As defined by the Clery Act no public property traverses the campus; all roads and pedestrian paths running through the campus are fully owned and controlled by the University.
TAMIU discloses statistics for reported Clery Act crimes that occur
- On campus,
- On public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus,
- In or on noncampus buildings or property that your institution owns or controls.
The definitions for these geographic categories are Clery Act-specific and are the same for every institution regardless of its physical size or configuration.
Campus Security Authorities
Campus Security Authorities (CSA) are members of the University community who have a responsibility for the safety and security of the campus or the development of the community of students and campus life.
The term "Campus Security Authority" is specific to the Clery Act and encompasses four groups.
- ALL employees of the University Police Department.
- Non-law enforcement employees who monitor access to campus facilities and events.
- Departments/Employees identified by the University to which students and employees should report crimes.
- Departments/Employees identified by the University as having significant responsibility for student activities
As a matter of best practice and policy, the University recommends all campus community members to report crimes directly to the University Police Department. While the preferred method of crime reporting is direct to UPD, the University community may report crimes to any CSA, who in turn is duty-bound to report that information to the UPD.
Sex Offender Registry
The “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” is a federal law enacted in 2000 that provides for the tracking of convicted, registered sex offenders enrolled as students, employed, or volunteering at institutions of higher education.
As provided by State law, under section 121 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, information on registered sex offenders may be obtained by law enforcement offices and/or jurisdictions. Sex offenders are responsible for notifying the appropriate local Police Department that they will be attending TAMIU. In
addition, they are also responsible for notifying the University Police Department.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the official record keeper for Sex Offender Registration information. DPS maintains files based on registration information submitted by criminal justice agencies and represents a statewide source of information on sex offenders required by law to register.