Clery Center

A Legacy of Leadership: Thanking Three Retiring Clery Center Board Members

In the ever-changing world of campus safety, Clery Center has been a steadfast advocate for the well-being of students nationwide. Today, we extend our sincere appreciation to three exceptional individuals—Ben Clery, Gail Minger, and George Dowdall, Ph.D.—who, after years of dedicated service, have retired from Clery Center's Board of Directors. Their legacy of leadership has left an indelible mark on campus safety advocacy, shaping our organization's path and inspiring positive change.

Ben Clery: A Family Legacy

Ben Clery is the brother of Jeanne Clery who was murdered at Lehigh University in April 1986. Ben served as a vice president, treasurer and board member of Clery Center from its inception in 1987 (then “Security On Campus”) to his retirement from the board earlier this year.

During his tenure, Ben developed the Campus Watch newsletter and wrote the organization’s first grant proposals. He advocated for the U.S. House & Senate to support the Accuracy in Campus Crime Reporting Act and testified before the U.S. Education & Workforce Subcommittee about campus crime and disclosure problems. Ben is the owner of Penn-Del Appraisals, LLC and is a graduate of Tulane University.

For Ben, the work of Clery Center was not just a mission—it's a powerful and personal family legacy. Ben has been deeply devoted to honoring the memory of his late sister, and the work of his late father, Howard, and his mother, Connie, to fuel positive change on campuses nationwide. Ben brought a unique perspective that intertwined personal dedication with a broader commitment to the safety of every student. Ben's decades of advocacy for the cause ensures that Clery Center's impact will endure for generations to come. In special recognition and deep appreciation of distinguished service, the board of directors appointed Ben as an Emeritus Board Member upon his retirement.

Gail Minger: A Mother's Resilience

Gail Minger became an advocate for campus fire and life safety following the tragic death of her son, Michael, at age 19 in an arson dormitory fire in 1998. In the state of Kentucky, where Michael lost his life, Gail actively worked on legislation and successfully passed the Michael Minger Act in 2000. Her impactful efforts earned her the Jeanne Clery Award for her dedication to enhancing safety on college campuses, and in 2002, she received the Consumer Safety Award from the Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys.

In 2007, Gail was appointed chairperson to the Governor’s Task Force on Campus Safety in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Minger family established the Michael H. Minger Memorial Foundation in 2005—a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting campus fire safety through education and improving safety standards on campuses—of which Gail is president. Gail is also on the board of Common Voices, has made three documentaries — including The Alarming Truth with Clery Center — and has been a national spokesperson for campus fire safety for over 20 years.

As a Clery Center board member, Gail brought not only her personal experience but also a deep understanding of the impact that effective safety measures can have on a community. Her legacy—and Michael’s—carries on in the countless lives touched by her advocacy and the enduring impact of her dedication to creating safer campus environments. The power of her personal story has been, and will continue to be, a true inspiration.

Dr. George W. Dowdall: A Scholarly Voice for Safety

George W. Dowdall, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Saint Joseph’s University and serves as an adjunct fellow at the Center for Public Health Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania. His extensive research portfolio encompasses topics such as mental health, substance abuse, and research methods. George earned his doctorate in sociology from Brown University and later became a National Institute of Mental Health postdoctoral fellow at the UCLA School of Public Health. In 2000, he was named the American Sociological Association’s Congressional Fellow. Throughout his career, George has held faculty or visiting positions at various institutions, including Indiana, Buffalo State, UCLA, Saint Joseph’s, Penn, Brown, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

George brought a valuable academic perspective to Clery Center's board. His research and expertise have played a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based initiatives aimed at creating safer campuses. We are grateful for his profound influence and enduring contributions that will continue to guide our work and mission.

As we close out 2023, we pause to acknowledge Ben, Gail, and George’s remarkable legacies. Their years of service, advocacy, and leadership have helped shape Clery Center into a beacon for campus safety. The impact of their dedication will continue to resonate, guiding us toward a future where every student can pursue their education in a safe and secure environment. We extend our deepest gratitude to these retiring board members for their outstanding contributions and wish them well in their future endeavors.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act: A Milestone in Hazing Prevention

In recent years, the issue of hazing on college campuses has gained increasing attention due to its harmful and sometimes fatal consequences. Hazing, the practice of subjecting new members of a group to humiliating or dangerous rituals, has plagued educational institutions for far too long. In response to this pressing concern, after years of advocacy by Clery Center, StopHazing, and parent groups, our 118th Congress has taken a significant step towards curbing hazing by designating September 25 – 29 National Hazing Awareness Week (S.Res.360, H.Res.717) and introducing the Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R. 5646). This groundbreaking legislation will require colleges and universities to teach students about the dangers of hazing and hold organizations that engage in this harmful behavior accountable.

Staff from Clery Center and StopHazing, and parents of children who were killed or seriously injured in hazing incidents meeting with Senator Amy Klobuchar, co-lead sponsor of the Stop Campus Hazing Act in Washington DC, September 2023.

The Problem of Campus Hazing

Hazing is a deeply entrenched issue, usually disguised as “tradition”, that has affected students for generations. Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other campus organizations have often been associated with hazing rituals that range from humiliation to life-threatening activities, sometimes resulting in severe injuries and even fatalities. Over 200 university hazing deaths have occurred since 1838, and since just 2000 there have been more than 50 hazing-related deaths.

Gary DeVercelly, Jr. The tragic story of Gary DeVercelly, Jr., a Rider University student who lost his life due to hazing in 2007, is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of these “traditions”. After their loss, Gary’s parents became tireless advocates for change. They joined Clery Center’s board in 2009 and have since partnered with Clery Center and StopHazing to film an award-winning documentary (We Don’t Haze), create several free resources on hazing awareness and prevention, and advocate for state and federal legislation to end hazing, including the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act in 2017, which received bipartisan support and was reintroduced in 2019 and 2021. The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a consensus bill that incorporates provisions from the REACH Act (H.R. 2525, S.744) and the END ALL Hazing Act (H.R.1933, S.775). Their dedication to ensuring that no other family has to endure such heartbreak has been instrumental.

The DeVercellys are not alone in their efforts. Many other families who have been affected by hazing incidents have joined the campaign for change over the years, and several of them are with the DeVercellys, Clery Center and StopHazing in Washington, DC, again this week, meeting with legislators to urge them to support the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Their stories serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address this issue comprehensively and effectively.

Clery Center board chair Sheilah Vance (far right) and parents of children who were killed or seriously injured by hazing with U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (center), September 2023.

Clery Center board chair Sheilah Vance (far right) and parents of children who were killed or seriously injured by hazing with U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (center), September 2023.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act: Bipartisan & Evidence-informed

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (Senate Co-Leads: Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) & Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA); House Co-Leads: Representatives Jeff Duncan (R-SC) & Lucy McBath (D-GA)) is a clear, concise, and evidence-informed bill that will amend the Clery Act to require higher education institutions to prevent and respond to hazing. Introduced with bipartisan support, this act includes several key provisions designed to curb hazing and protect students. The Stop Campus Hazing Act will:

Improve hazing reporting by requiring colleges to include hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report (“Clery Report”);
Prevent hazing by establishing campus-wide, research-based hazing education and prevention programs; and
Help students and their parents make informed decisions about joining organizations on campus by requiring colleges to publish on their websites the institution’s hazing prevention policies and the organizations that have violated them.

Staff from Clery Center, StopHazing, and Safe Campuses LLC, and parents of children who were killed or seriously injured by hazing with U.S. Representative Lucy McBath, July 2022.

Staff from Clery Center, StopHazing, and Safe Campuses LLC, and parents of children who were killed or seriously injured by hazing with U.S. Representative Lucy McBath, July 2022.

Harm from hazing is well documented and includes physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even death. Abuse from hazing undercuts positive learning environments and the process of joining a club, team, or organization should not involve abusive situations or traditions, yet hazing continues to occur. The Stop Campus Hazing Act will shift societal norms and structures that enable hazing and encourage institutions to invest resources to address and prevent it.

Currently there is no standardized definition of hazing at institutions of higher education and no universal process to track and document hazing incidents. The Stop Campus Hazing Act will provide consumers with current, standardized, and clear information about hazing at any college or university in the United States.

A Call for Action

The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a crucial step towards eradicating hazing on college campuses and ensuring the safety and well-being of students. It empowers students to speak out against hazing, ensures that incidents are properly investigated, and holds individuals and organizations accountable for their actions.

In the coming years, it will be essential for colleges, universities, and students alike to work together to implement the provisions of this act effectively. But today, we urge you to please reach out to your legislators to ask them to support this lifesaving bill. StopHazing has created an easy form that takes only minutes to fill out and automatically sends a letter to your local representatives. If you represent an organization, you can complete this form to add your endorsement to the dozens of others who support the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

By doing so, we can hope to see a significant reduction in hazing incidents and safer, more inclusive campus communities for all. The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a crucial tool in achieving this important goal, and its passage would be a significant victory for student safety and well-being.

Representatives from Clery Center, StopHazing, and parents of cchildren who were killed or seriously injured in hazing incidents in Washington DC, September 2023.

Resources

Read the Stop Campus Hazing Act Fact Sheet
Watch the short documentary film, “We Don’t Haze”
Check out our free resources for campuses to educate on and prevent hazing
Join StopHazing’s Hazing Prevention Consortium©™

Announcing Clery Center’s 2023 Campus Safety Impact Award Winner

Clery Center is pleased to announce that the Student Affairs Case Management Services program at the University of California, San Diego is the winner of our 2023 Campus Safety Impact Award. Key collaborators of this program include:
Director: Andrew Hua
Assistant Director: Ana Bowens
Intake and Operations Coordinator: Diana Joy Go
Case Managers: Martina Galvan, Kevin Baldueza, Jade Barrett, Annie Lin

Student Affairs Case Management Services program team members at the University of California, San Diego

Our National Advisory Council and selection committee considered many strong applications from colleges and universities across the country. When choosing a winner, we considered several factors, including collaboration with cross-campus and/or off-campus partners, innovation in developing new approaches to meet the evolving needs of the community, and commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. “UC San Diego’s program models the multi-disciplinary and proactive approach to campus safety that Clery Center champions, and we are glad to have the opportunity to recognize their leadership in prioritizing student health and well-being,” shared Jessica Mertz, Clery Center executive director.

Student Affairs Case Management Services (SACM) at UC San Diego was created in 2014 to establish a culture of care on campus through inclusive, comprehensive support services that empower students to address all aspects of their health and well-being. Through their non-clinical case management model, SACM employees are able to connect students in distress to appropriate resources.

Student Affairs Case Management Services program team members at the University of California, San Diego

The SACM team has created strategic partnerships across campus to make sure no student falls through the cracks. This includes working with liaisons in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Community Centers to ensure the accessibility and inclusivity of their services for students who frequent those spaces.

Student Affairs Case Management Services program at the University of California, San Diego

This cross-campus collaboration allows them to generate a holistic support system that caters to the identities of individual students and to offer several resources to enhance a feeling of safety across campus including:

24/7 phone line & online form for faculty and staff to report concerns regarding students
Training offered three times a quarter and on-demand to faculty, staff, and student leaders on how to identify indicators of distress and various support resources available
Multi-disciplinary behavioral consultation team who provides preventive and early intervention services to campus members whose behavior is highly concerning or threatening
Togetherall – an online, 24/7 peer-to-peer mental health support community monitored by registered mental health practitioners
A peer-to-peer support program that provides students help as they navigate seeking help for their mental health and holistic well-being
The Compassionate Response Team – a crisis response team of mental health practitioners that provides mobile crisis response, mental health wellness checks, and telehealth assessments for mental health challenges and substance abuse

The Student Affairs Case Management has supported an average of 382 individual students per academic quarter for the 2022-2023 academic year. 90% of surveyed students shared they would reach out to a case manager again in the future and that their concerns were addressed in their meeting with their case manager.

We would also like to recognize three finalists who submitted compelling programs:

Embedded Confidential Advisors – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
In 2019, the director of the Women’s Resources Center (WRC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign hired the first-ever embedded confidential advisors to specifically serve the needs of BIPOC students. In an effort to make confidential services more accessible to survivors of sexual misconduct who may not feel comfortable confiding in the historically all-white staff of the WRC, the advisors each spend part of their time on-site at the campus’s Latinx cultural center (La Casa Cultural Latina) or the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, respectively. This has increased access to support services for BIPOC campus community members who might otherwise be underserved.

Green Dot and Violence Prevention Program – University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming leaders decided they needed to dedicate resources to violence prevention after a 2018 campus climate survey indicated higher than average rates of sexual assault on their campus. They instituted the Green Dot and Violence Prevention Program, a bystander intervention program that equips all campus community members with the skills to recognize sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking; provides ways to safely intervene; and encourages cultural buy-in through extensive marketing and branding of the Green Dot logo. The program has proven successful – even accounting for the effects of the pandemic, the campus has seen a 10-20% reduction in sexual assaults and similar or greater reductions for stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual harassment.

Student Engagement Advisory Team / Protest Response Team – Rowan University
Formed in 2019, the Student Engagement Advisory Team & the Protest Response Team at Rowan University in New Jersey work in tandem to support the community’s right to free speech. The Student Engagement Advisory Team proactively supports students wishing to hold a protest or march on campus, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to have a successful and peaceful event, even if they are protesting the university’s official positions. The Protest Response Team is composed of faculty, staff, and students who are trained in First Amendment and University policies, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills, and social justice advocacy. They offer a safe alternative to engaging with controversial protest groups that may induce feelings of fear, sadness, or anger.

We are incredibly grateful to each institution who took the time to submit their program for consideration and applaud the impactful way campuses are improving the overall well-being of their communities. Please be sure to check back next spring when we reopen the application for 2024 submissions!

Learn more about UC San Diego's Student Affairs Case Management program in their session during our virtual campus safety summit on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The summit is completely free; registration is required. Register here.

State of the Field Campus Safety Survey

Clery Act State of the Field Survey

The Clery Act State of the Field survey is the first-of-its-kind and was conducted in the summer of 2024, designed to gather benchmark data from and for Clery Act practitioners across the country.

The goals of the Clery Act State of the Field Survey were to:

Identify what institutional resources and support are being dedicated to Clery Act implementation;
Identify trends in how institutions are interpreting and implementing Clery Act requirements;
Recognize any challenges or concerns institutions are navigating with Clery Act implementation; and
Learn what external resources and systems are being utilized for Clery Act implementation.

Clery Center has compiled and analyzed the data from the survey and we are pleased to share our executive summary and the full data in the following links:

Read the Executive Summary Download the 2024 Results

Watch our free webinar exploring the data!

Join Clery Center, Dolores Stafford & Associates/NACCOP, Grand River Solutions, and Healy+ for our webinar, designed to equip you with valuable knowledge to better support your institution’s Clery Act efforts. You can find a recording of the webinar at the link below.

Watch the Webinar

Thank you to our survey partners:

Introducing Clery Center’s National Advisory Council

Clery Center is pleased to announce our inaugural National Advisory Council (NAC). In a decade that has been shaped by a global pandemic and a resurgent civil rights movement, Clery Center sought to bring together a collaborative group of thought leaders in higher education to support our mission of making campuses safer for all. “The NAC is an exciting opportunity for Clery Center to strengthen our connection to the higher education community. It is an honor to have such dedicated and esteemed campus professionals from across the country work alongside us with a shared commitment to ending crime and violence on campus,” said Clery Center Executive Director Jessica Mertz.

The National Advisory Council models the multidisciplinary approach to campus safety that leads to the most meaningful and sustainable change, and its members are actively serving in various critical roles at institutions. Clery Center directors Sheilah D. Vance and Maureen Rush will serve as board liaisons, sharing the Center’s strategic vision with the NAC and bringing NAC initiatives to the board for support. This inaugural group brings their unique identities, expertise, and lived experiences to help Clery Center identify opportunities for and challenges to institutionalizing a culture of commitment to safety on college campuses. "I am honored and excited to join the Clery Center National Advisory Council. Such a diverse group of distinguished individuals from various fields will give me the opportunity to learn and grow while looking at safety issues from different perspectives," said Joycelyn M. Johnson, Chief of Police for Southern University and A&M College.

Meet the NAC's Inaugural Members: