2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog > Student Affairs Policies > Clery Compliance Policy

Clery Compliance Policy

Policy approved by Mercy College Board of Trustees, September 2018

Institutions of higher education participating in federal financial aid programs are required to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and the Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 (20 USC § 1092(f)), or the “Clery Act.” The Clery Act is enforced by the United States Department of Education (“ED”).

In order to comply with the Clery Act, Mercy College of Ohio (“the College”) takes the following steps.

• Tracks crime statistics for incidents reported to have occurred on campus, on public property immediately adjacent to, or running through the campus, and at certain non-campus buildings or property.
• By October 1 each year, publishes an Annual Security Report (“ASR”) for each campus containing security-related statements of policy, procedure and programming, as well as crime statistics for the past three calendar years.
• Submits crime statistics to ED via its online survey each fall.
• Issues timely warnings when a reported crime presents an ongoing danger to the College community.
• Devises an emergency response, notification and testing policy.
• Retains documentation of the College’s Clery compliance efforts.

Because the College’s campuses also have security departments (as that term is defined by the Clery Act and related guidance published by ED), the College also has and maintains a daily crime log that is available to members of the College community and the public upon request.

Preparing the Annual Security Reports (ASR)

Separate ASRs are prepared for the Toledo campus and Youngstown location. The reports are prepared by the Director of Compliance and Risk Management and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator (Youngstown), in collaboration with the Vice President of Student Affairs or his/her designee. The reports are prepared in cooperation with campus security/police officials including Mercy Protective Services - Toledo Campus and Mercy Health Youngstown Police Department. The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting is ED’s key guidance document related to the Clery Act, and the current version is available at: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/handbook.pdf. This document is reviewed and utilized in preparing the ASRs.

Availability of The Annual Security Reports (ASR)

ASRs are updated annually and published on the College website on or before October 1 each year. The campus community is notified of the availability of the reports by email and newsletter when the reports are published.

Reporting of Criminal Offenses

To report a crime, call 911 (emergencies) or campus police/security (emergencies and non- emergencies).

The following sections regarding Emergency Notification and Evacuation and Timely Warnings are also included in the ASRs and expanded upon in the College’s Emergency Response Plan, which is available on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/student-affairs/campus-safety