Query about the Clery: what is NGU’s Clery report all about?
Grace Myers, Managing Editor
Exactly how safe in North Greenville University? How do students find out about the security of their campus and the policies put in place to protect them? The answer is – through the university’s Clery report.
A few weeks ago, North Greenville University’s Office of Campus Safety and Security released the annual Clery report for the year 2021. However, many students are unaware of the purpose of this report and what information it provides.
What is a Clery report?
In 1986, Jeanne Clery was raped and killed in her dorm at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn. Her death would change the future of college safety forever and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The Clery Act) was born.
According to the Clery Center, ”The Clery Act is a consumer protection law that aims to provide transparency around campus crime policy and statistics.”
Under the Clery Act, colleges and universities that receive federal funding must disclose campus crime statistics for the last three years to the general public via a Clery report. The report may also be called an Annual Safety Report (ASR).
Crimes reported by the ASR include:
- Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
- Negligent manslaughter
- Rape
- Fondling
- Incest
- Statutory rape
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Arson
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
- Liquor law arrests
- Drug law arrests
- Weapons law arrests
- Liquor law violation referred for disciplinary action
- Drug law violation referred for disciplinary action
- Weapons law violation referred for disciplinary action
Additionally, the Clery report also serves as a manual for how to stay safe on and off-campus, how and where to report a problem or a crime, how to respond if there is an emergency or an alert and how to ask for help.
It also highlights the university’s policy and procedures for Title IX, sexual assault, the possession, use and/or sale of alcohol and/or drugs and how to get help with a drug or alcohol problem. Lastly, the report provides information concerning fire and fire safety on campus, specifically, the residence halls.
Is North Greenville University safe?
”I say we are safer in that we have less crime,” says Major Charles Snook, Assistant Director of Campus Safety and Security and Coordinator of the Clery Report. “That not only comes from me and looking at other Clery Reports but also my interaction with other higher education law enforcement officers.”
But, don’t just take Snook’s word for it. Below are numbers from NGU, Bob Jones University (BJU), Anderson University and Furman University Clery reports for 2021.
In 2020 the following crimes were reported at NGU:
- Drug Law Arrests: 1
- Liquor law violation referred for disciplinary action: 4
- Drug law violation referred for disciplinary action: 6
All other monitored offenses had zero reported occurrences for the year 2020.
In 2020, the following crimes were reported at Bob Jones University:
- Aggravated assault: 1
- Motor vehicle theft: 1
- Burglary: 1
- Liquor law violation referred for disciplinary action: 2
All other monitored offenses had zero reported occurrences for the year 2020.
In 2020, the following crimes were reported at Anderson University:
- Sexual Assault: 1
- Burglary: 1
- Drug law violation referred for disciplinary action: 1
- Liquor law violation referred for disciplinary action: 9
All other monitored offenses had zero reported occurrences for the year 2020.
In 2020, the following crimes were reported at Furman University:
- Rape: 7
- Fondling: 3
- Burglary: 6
- Motor vehicle theft: 3
- Arson: 2
- Daiting violence: 2
- Domestic violence: 1
- Stalking: 2
- Drug law violation: 2
All other monitored offenses had zero reported occurrences for the year 2020.
What makes NGU a safe campus?
NGU believes that “Christ makes the difference” in every aspect of life, including campus security. Snook attributes the safety of the campus to three different factors.
“The fact that we are a safer campus first starts with our Officers,” says Snook. “We care about people and want everyone to succeed… We work on many levels to develop relationships to help teach good decision making and avoiding trouble.”
Second, the campus officers are supported by the other university employees on campus. Snook notes that everyone who works on campus and their families have joined campus security in their mission to help students avoid pitfalls that can mess up their lives by providing support and guidance when needed.
Lastly, Snook mentions the school’s policy prohibiting alcohol. NGU does not allow its students to consume alcohol on or off-campus while enrolled in the University.
“Prohibiting alcohol helps to keep crime down. When schools have changed policy concerning alcohol on campus or its consumption by students, crime and other relationship problems has increased. There are other policies that help contribute to low crime on campus and in students while they are off campus, but no alcohol is a big policy.”
With one final note on campus security, Snook notes that he only expects campus security to improve in the future.
“I have working here for thirteen years. Every year, Campus Safety and Security does an evaluation to see what needs to improve. That has never changes. The level at which we operate has improved every year. Therefore, next year will be even better.”
However, Snook still encourages students to read the Clery Report each year.
“Campus Safety and Security want you to be safe, knowing the information in the Clery report will help you be safe.”
Have questions about this year’s Clery report? Read the full report here. You can also contact campus security at (864)-977-7777.
*Featured Image: Image courtesy of North Greenville University Campus Safety and Security
