Examining Crime on Campus: The Influence of Institutional Factors on Reports of Crime at Colleges and Universities

Abstract

When the Clery Act was passed in 1998, it required institutions of higher education to raise awareness among those in the campus community about the crime prevention programs they offer, as well as disseminate information about crime on campus, in an effort to reduce levels of individual risk. However, scant research investigates the impact that such institutional crime prevention efforts may have had on reports of both violent and property crime on campus. Using two different datasets, this study reveals that campuses with more security measures in place and more men enrolled than women are associated with the highest reports of violent crime. Alternatively, institutions with more security measures implemented and larger proportions of women enrolled have the fewest reports of violent crime on campus. This paper discusses the considerations that should be made when relying on official reports of crime on campus and concludes with implications for future research.