When attending college, it is important to know whether the campus is a safe environment. However, many students are not aware of the resources available to find out.
One way to stay informed about campus safety is by looking at the annual Clery Report. Because of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, all colleges and universities that participate in federal student aid programs are required to provide information regarding topics such as campus safety, security policies and crime statistics. These statistics include, but are not limited to, arson, manslaughter, robbery, stalking, drug arrests and rape.
The information that is available on the Clery Report is taken from weekly reports of any and all incidents that have been reported on campus. These reports are compiled by SNHU’s Clery Committee; a group made up of representatives from many different areas of SNHU.
An important thing to keep in mind when viewing the Clery Report is that the report can only reflect the incidents that have been formally reported. For example, if a student has been sexually assaulted and talks to wellness counseling, but does not wish to file a report, it will not be included on the Clery Report.
Staff try to make students and faculty aware of the Clery Report as well as promote safety on campus. “I meet with the parents, myself and some other colleagues and we talk about these types of things; crime stats on campus, what crime is like, safety at campus, different services and programs that we offer from public safety to help keep the campus safe,” said Jim Winn, associate dean of Student Affairs and director of Public Safety.
SNHU staff have also been promoting an app called uSafeUS. This app contains important information about reporting an incident and how to get support both on and off campus.
However, there is always a need for additional discourse about safety on campus. As Brooke Gilmore, director of the Women’s Center, said, “The more we could create opportunities to have continuous discussions on what happens, how can I report, how can I help a friend, the better.”
All members of the campus community have the right to access the Clery Report and to know the statistics of what happens on campus. The mandated report can be obtained by approaching the department of Public Safety at the Morrissey House, emailing publicsafety@snhu.edu or at https://www.snhu.edu/consumer-information/security-reports-jeanne-clery.
