The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is the landmark federal law, originally known as the Campus Security Act, that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.
Because the law is tied to participation in federal student financial aid programs it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.
The law was most recently amended in 2000 to require schools beginning in 2003 to notify the campus community about where public "Megan's Law" information about registered sex offenders on campus could be obtained.
Here are the most recent statistics by Campus (2008):
- Clery 2008 Crime Statistics-Oakland Campus
- Clery 2008 Crime Statistics-Sacramento Campus
- Clery 2008 Crime Statistics-San Francisco Campus
- Clery 2008 Crime Statistics-San Mateo Campus
Policy on Timely Warnings
In the event a situation arises that, in the judgment of the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a campus wide "timely warning" email will be issued.
Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at 510-869-6627, in person at Bechtel Hall or celliott@samuelmerritt.edu.
Policy on the Preparation of Disclosure of Crime Statistics
The Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The full text of the report and the annual statistics can be found on the University website at www.samuelmerritt.edu/students/clery. The report is prepared in coordination with contracted security teams at each of our campuses, key faculty and staff, and the Office of Student Services.
Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics include those reported to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, designated campus officials, security teams, and outside law enforcement agencies. These statistics may also include crimes that have occurred in nearby private residences and businesses and is not required by law.
Each year, on or before October 1, an email notification is made to all enrolled students and current faculty and staff regarding the updated report and how to access the information. The report is included in the email, in the Catalog and Student Handbook, and on the website. Requests for the report in alternative formats may be made to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services by email (celliott@samuelmerritt.edu) or by phone at 510-869-6627.
Policy on the Reporting of Criminal Offenses
Community members, students, faculty, staff and guests are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to the security team noted below and to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services in a timely manner. Information on student behavioral violations are reported to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services per University policy for follow up.
For crimes in progress or emergencies, contact the security team at your campus or call 911.
| Campus | Security Number
|
| Oakland | 510-763-4001 or x7847 |
| Sacramento | 916-924-7619 or cell 916-825-0904 |
| San Francisco | 415-600-3557 or cell 415-716-1929 |
| San Mateo | 650-345-1011 |
In addition, you should report a crime to the following areas:
| Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services | 510 869-6627 3100 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 1000 |
| Director of Facilities | 510 869-8785 3012 Summit Street |
| Assistant Director of Student Housing Services | 510 869-6511 x4664 3100 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 1000 |
Please note that persons employed by the University or contracted by the University to serve as professional counselors, when acting as such, are not considered to be a campus security authority and are not required to report crimes for inclusion into the annual disclosure of crime statistics.
Confidential Reporting
If you are the victim of a crime and do not wish to pursue action with the University's judicial process or the criminal justice system, you may want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the people noted above can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential while taking steps to insure the institution's compliance with this federal law and insure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, the University can keep accurate records of the number of incidents involving students and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crime statistics for the University.
Policy on Campus Access
Access to the University facilities is limited to current faculty, staff and students, and is maintained through swipe card access via campus identification badges. Faculty, staff and students must wear their University ID (and campus identification badges if separate) while on campus and have it visible, above the waist, at all times. During business hours, faculty, staff and students have access to University facilities via their swipe card. During holidays, after business hours and weekends, access is limited or not permitted. The Director of Facilities will provide updates prior to holidays on what access is available. The University is closed the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve and special permission is required to be on campus during that time.
Please note that emergencies or extenuating circumstances may necessitate changes to any posted schedules.
Also please note that because the University shares facilities with various medical centers, some overlap of access by the public and medical center staff will happen. In these areas, the public can use the space as a part of visiting the medical center, and the security team will take responsibility for security and access.
Policy on Campus Law Enforcement
Samuel Merritt University does not have its own security team and it contracts with the security team at each of its campuses for these services. The security team has the authority to ask persons for identification and determine whether individuals have lawful business with Samuel Merritt University. This security team also has the ability to collect reports of incidents and issue parking citations. They do not have arrest power. Criminal incidents are referred to the local police who have jurisdiction at the campus. All crime victims and witnesses are strongly encouraged to immediately report the crime to the medical center security team at that campus as well as one of the University officials listed above. Prompt reporting will assure timely warning notices and disclosure of statistics.
The University does not have any off-campus student organizations nor does it monitor off campus activities of students, faculty and staff.
Policy on Security Awareness and Crime Prevention Programs
The University makes available the programs and resources offered by the security teams on safety and security, including regular safety information and campus escort services. At student orientation, the security team is invited to share services offered at that campus. The University does not provide other services directly nor does it provide them as a regular course of business. On a case-by-case basis, the University will address an issue programmatically if needed.
Policy on Sex Offenses and Offenders
The University provides information about sexual assaults at mandatory student orientation through its campus security information.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment. The University strongly advocates that a victim of sexual assault report the incident in a timely manner using the procedures above.
The report to a University official does not obligate the victim to prosecute but ensures the victim can receive services offered by the University.
A report to police will ensure the victim receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no expense to the victim; provide the opportunity for the collection of evidence which will be helpful in prosecution which cannot be obtained later; and assure the victim has access to free confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.
University disciplinary proceedings, as well as special guidelines for handling cases of sexual misconduct, are detailed in the Catalog and Student Handbook. The handbook provides, in part, that the accused and the victim will each be allowed to choose one person who has had no formal legal training to accompany them throughout the hearing. Both the victim and the accused will be informed of the outcome of the hearing. A student found guilty of violating the University's sexual misconduct policy could be criminally prosecuted and/or may be suspended or expelled from the University for the first offense.
Sexual Offender Registration
In accordance with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, The Jeanne Clery Act and FERPA, Samuel Merritt University is providing a link to the California State Sex Offender Registry. The University is required to inform the campus community that a list of all registered sex offenders is available from the State of California Office of Attorney General at http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/.