When it comes to campus safety, the stakes are high—and so are the consequences of falling out of compliance. The Clery Act, formally known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, mandates that colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs maintain and disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.
But despite its importance, many institutions still struggle to fully meet Clery requirements—leading to significant financial penalties, public scrutiny, and even the risk of losing access to federal funding. Fortunately, most compliance failures are preventable with the right processes, partnerships, and tools in place.
What the Clery Act Requires
The Clery Act is designed to promote transparency and accountability around campus safety. It includes several core components that every institution must address:
- Annual Security Report (ASR): A comprehensive document that must be published by October 1 each year, covering crime statistics, safety policies, and support resources.
- Crime Statistics Reporting: Institutions must track and disclose Clery-reportable crimes occurring in specific geographic areas, including on-campus property, public areas, and non-campus buildings used by the institution.
- Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications: Schools are required to alert the campus community about threats to safety or ongoing criminal activity.
- Policy Disclosures: These cover everything from disciplinary procedures to drug and alcohol programs, Title IX policies, and more.
It’s not just about reporting incidents—it’s about demonstrating a proactive, coordinated approach to student safety and properly managing records.
Common Compliance Pitfalls
Despite clear guidelines, many institutions continue to make avoidable errors. Here are a few of the most common—and costly—Clery missteps:
- Incomplete or Missing ASRs: Failing to submit or publish the ASR on time, or omitting key sections, is a frequent cause of fines.
- Incorrect Crime Classification: Misreporting offenses, or failing to recognize a Clery-reportable crime, can invalidate an entire report.
- Lack of Interdepartmental Coordination: Data from campus police, Title IX, housing, and student affairs often exists in silos—making it difficult to compile accurate, consistent reports.
- Inadequate Documentation: Auditors expect institutions to back up their numbers with detailed logs and narratives. If the records aren’t there, penalties can follow.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Clery compliance isn’t just a paperwork exercise—it carries real financial and reputational risks. Fines can reach $67,544 per violation as of 2025, and multiple violations can add up fast.
Beyond the monetary consequences, colleges that fail Clery audits face:
- Loss of Title IV eligibility, which affects access to federal student aid
- Reputational damage, particularly in an era of heightened scrutiny around campus safety
- Increased audit frequency and oversight, further burdening internal staff
- Community backlash, especially when timely warnings or transparency fall short
Best Practices for Staying Compliant
The good news: with the right strategy, Clery compliance becomes a manageable part of campus operations. Here’s how leading institutions are staying on track:
- Form a Clery Compliance Committee that includes representatives from campus police, Title IX, student affairs, and legal counsel
- Automate reminders and reporting deadlines so nothing falls through the cracks
- Conduct regular internal audits to catch and correct issues before they escalate
- Centralize data collection through a single reporting platform that connects all departments
- Create clear, documented workflows for issuing timely warnings and emergency notifications
How ARMS Helps Colleges Avoid Mistakes
At ARMS, we understand the complexities of Clery compliance—because we’ve built solutions to simplify it. Our platform includes:
- Built-in Clery reporting templates that guide institutions through required disclosures
- Auto-generated statistical reports for easier inclusion in the Annual Security Report
- Centralized case tracking across departments, from Title IX to student conduct
- Automated alerts and audit trails to support on-time delivery and thorough documentation
- Multi-site support for institutions with multiple campuses or satellite locations
Whether you’re struggling to compile your ASR or want a system that proactively flags compliance risks, ARMS helps ensure you’re always prepared—without burning out your staff.
Compliance as a Campus Safety Commitment
Clery compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about building a culture of transparency, safety, and accountability. When students, parents, and faculty know their institution takes these responsibilities seriously, it builds trust that goes far beyond regulatory checkboxes.
By investing in the right technology and strategy, colleges can avoid costly mistakes, pass audits with confidence, and—most importantly—create safer, more supportive environments for everyone on campus.
Is your Clery process ready for the next audit? If not, ARMS is here to help. Contact us today to see how our compliance tools can simplify reporting and protect your campus from costly fines.
