Clery Act Compliance and Statistics

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act—commonly known as the Clery Act—Howard University is committed to promoting campus safety and transparency. The Clery Act, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities participating in Title IV federal student financial aid programs to disclose information about campus crime and security policies.

Each year, Howard University submits a report to the U.S. Department of Education detailing campus crime statistics and safety initiatives.

Clery Act Requirements

To ensure compliance with the Clery Act, Howard University provides the following:

• Clery Act Crime Statistics: Accurate crime statistics reported within the defined Clery Geography.
• Annual Security Report (ASR): Published by October 1 each year, this report includes crime statistics and information on campus safety policies and procedures.
• Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR): Also published by October 1, this report details fire safety policies and fire statistics for on-campus student housing.
• Biennial Review: Conducted every two years to evaluate the effectiveness of the University’s alcohol and drug prevention programs, in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA).
• Timely Warning Notices: Issued when a Clery Act crime poses a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.
• Emergency Notifications: Provided when there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, faculty, or staff.
• Daily Crime Log: Maintained and made publicly available for all crimes reported to the Howard University Department of Public Safety (HUDPS) that occurred within the University’s Clery Geography or patrol jurisdiction.
• Fire Log: Maintained for all fire-related incidents occurring in on-campus student housing facilities.

For detailed federal guidelines and reporting requirements, please refer to the U.S. Department of Education's Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting: The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting 

The Clery Act Appendix for FSA Handbook

This Appendix to the Federal Student Aid Handbook was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to support postsecondary institutions in complying with the campus safety and security requirements outlined in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. It replaces the 2016 Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, which has been officially rescinded. Clery Act Appendix for FSA Handbook

Stop Campus Hazing Act

The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a federal legislative initiative aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and prevention efforts related to hazing in higher education. The Act requires colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents in their Annual Security Reports (ASRs), similar to how other crimes are reported under the Clery Act. Institutions must also implement clear policies and procedures for hazing prevention, investigation, and disciplinary action. By mandating the public reporting of hazing violations and enhancing campus safety education, the Stop Campus Hazing Act seeks to protect students from harmful behaviors and foster a culture of respect, responsibility, and accountability across college campuses.

Stop Campus Hazing Act  

Stop Campus Hazing Act: What You Need to Know

Clery Center - Stop Campus Hazing Act: What You Need to Know  

Clery Act Crime Definitions

The following definitions align with the final regulations implementing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, published in the Federal Register on October 20, 2014. These terms must be used by institutions of higher education to ensure compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

Criminal Offenses

Aggravated Assault: An unlawful attack by one person upon another with the intent to inflict severe or aggravated bodily injury. Typically involves the use of a weapon or means likely to produce death or serious harm. Injury is not required for classification if a weapon capable of causing harm is used.

Arson: The willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn a structure, vehicle, or personal property, with or without intent to defraud.

Burglary: The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft. Includes forced entry, unlawful entry without force, and attempted entry.

Criminal Homicide – Manslaughter by Negligence: The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Criminal Homicide – Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter: The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one individual by another.

Motor Vehicle Theft: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, including unauthorized use of a vehicle, such as joyriding.

Robbery: The taking or attempted taking of property from a person or persons by force, threat of force, or by putting the victim in fear.

Sex Offenses

Rape: The penetration, no matter how slight with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.

Fondling: The touching of private body parts for sexual gratification without the victim’s consent, including instances where the victim is incapable of consent due to age or mental incapacity.

Incest: Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within degrees that prohibit marriage under law.

Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is below the statutory age of consent as defined by state law.

Sexual Assault: Any sexual act directed against another person without consent, including rape, fondling, incest, and statutory rape, as defined in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Offenses

Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Determination is based on relationship length, type, and frequency of interaction. Includes physical or sexual abuse or threats thereof but does not include acts classified as domestic violence.

Domestic Violence: A felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by a:

• Current or former spouse or intimate partner,
• Person with whom the victim shares a child,
• Cohabitant or former cohabitant as a spouse or intimate partner,
• Person similarly situated to a spouse under local domestic or family violence laws,
• Or any other person protected under applicable domestic violence laws. Stalking: A course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:
  1. Fear for their safety or the safety of others; or
  2. Suffer substantial emotional distress.
  • Course of conduct: Two or more acts, including following, monitoring, or threatening, directly or indirectly.
  • Reasonable person: One under similar circumstances and with similar identity to the victim.
  • Substantial emotional distress: Significant mental suffering or anguish, potentially requiring professional support.

Arrests and Disciplinary Referrals

Drug Abuse Violations: Violations involving the unlawful cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, use, or possession of controlled substances and related paraphernalia.

Liquor Law Violations: Violations of laws or ordinances regulating the manufacture, sale, possession, or use of alcohol, excluding DUI and public drunkenness.

Weapons Law Violations: Violations of laws concerning the illegal possession, manufacture, sale, purchase, or use of firearms, explosives, or other deadly weapons.

Hate Crimes

A hate crime is a criminal offense where the victim was intentionally targeted based on actual or perceived characteristics, including:

• Race
• Religion
• Gender
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Ethnicity
• National origin
• Disability

The following offenses must be reported as hate crimes only if there is evidence of bias:

Simple Assault: A physical attack without a weapon and without resulting in severe or aggravated injury.

Larceny-Theft: The unlawful taking or attempted taking of property without the use of force or violence.

Intimidation: Placing another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through threatening conduct, without the use of a weapon or physical contact.

Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property: Willful or malicious acts that damage or deface public or private property without consent.