As a campus safety official who might often hear, “no one reads the ASR,” you may find it challenging to determine how to make it seem like a useful document for the entire campus community. While the annual security report might not be read cover to cover each October 1, it is certainly reviewed when there is an emergency or crisis at your institution. Below are some tips and strategies to consider as you communicate how the ASR can be a critical tool for faculty, staff, students and their families all year round.
Explain the Importance of Annual Security Reports.
Students may not know about the Clery Act – so that’s a good place to start. The Clery Act is a law passed in 1990 that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to submit annual reports on campus crime statistics and security measures. Annual security reports (ASRs) include statistics on sexual assaults, hate crimes, alcohol violations, vehicle thefts, dating violence, and other crimes.
More importantly, the ASR explains how campuses alert their entire campus community about potential dangers. They also include information on campus safety prevention and awareness education measures, building safety and emergency drills.
The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to publish their annual security reports and share its availability with current and prospective students and employees. Current students and employees can reference the reports to increase their awareness and gather information on personal safety measures they can take, and prospective students and their families can use it to inform their decision-making process.
Don’t forget to point out that, since the Clery Act passed and campuses started submitting ASRs:
Overall, annual security reports are beneficial because they promote transparency and accountability between the institution and its consumers — namely students and staff. This report provides a clear picture of what crimes are reported on campus and what policies and procedures are in place to respond to and prevent such occurrences. A more informed campus community feels empowered to participate in campus safety structures such as reporting or intervening as a bystander.
What are specific questions your campus community might ask about campus safety?
Students and staff appreciate clear information, particularly when it comes to understanding the environment in which they will live and learn. Thankfully, the ASR is a one-stop shop for answering many of their questions and concerns. Share this tool when describing your campus community and the safety services it provides. It answers many questions they may not even realize they’d like to ask, including:
- How does the campus communicate with students during in an emergency?
- What policies are in place to help students who are victims of crimes on campus?
- Does the campus have its own police department or a public safety department? Does it have a working relationship with local law enforcement?
- How does the campus address allegations of sexual assault?
- What programs do the institution have in place to educate students about safety?
- What are some commonly available campus safety resources?
You also can refer members of your campus community who want to dig further into campus safety research to the following resources:
- The public safety department/police department website for your institution/any other violence prevention offices your campus has or highlights
- The National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Campus Resource List.
Keeping your Campus Community Informed
When educating students and employees about campus safety, emphasize the following areas:
- Inform your students about university and national safety resources, such as the National Center for Campus Public Safety.
- Talk to your students about available campus safety services, such as walking escorts or campus shuttles.
- Make sure your students have campus security contact information and the number to call to report a crime.
- Encourage your community to attend campus safety information events.
- Ensure your students designate an emergency contact, and/or for residential students, a missing person’s contact.
Annual security reports are comprehensive documents intended to keep students and employees on college campuses informed about campus safety services. Educating your campus community about all that is available to them will help them understand what a helpful resource the ASR can be when they might need answers or information on campus safety.
