Clery Reports
October 01, 2023
CCU publishes annual Clery Report
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act, signed in 1990, is a federal statute codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), with implementing regulations in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 34 C.F.R.668.46. The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses. Compliance is monitored by the United States Department of Education.
Consistent with those obligations, the University is required to compile an annual report of all reports of crime and fire reported on or near campus over the reporting period. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Coastal Carolina University; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and other matters. Coastal Carolina University’s report is available at the Public Safety website.
If you would like to receive a copy of the report, you can stop by the Public Safety Building at 255 University Blvd., or request a copy by calling 843-349-2177.
The numbers in the report are not a reflection of high crime rates on the CCU campus, but rather the University’s commitment to reporting and solving crime.
Coastal Carolina University is located in between multiple law enforcement jurisdictions. As a result, CCU’s police force, comprised of sworn and certified officers who have graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, is a primary responder to criminal activity in surrounding areas not on CCU’s campus and often not involving CCU students. Consequently, Coastal Carolina’s reports of criminal activities include incidents that would not be reported otherwise. Additionally, reports do not necessarily mean that a crime occurred or that arrests or convictions resulted.
It is also important to understand the language used within the report. “Referrals” are any documented incident that is handled through the student conduct process. Staff members review all reported violations and take appropriate action. The students and the campus community are educated to be proactive in reporting alcohol and drug offenses and other high-risk behavior.
Unfounded cases are reports that have been investigated and found that no crime had been committed.
CCU is exceptionally diligent in reporting crime and enforcing the law on CCU’s campus, the campus of Horry-Georgetown Technical College (which is contiguous to CCU), and in housing communities adjacent to campus. This diligence demonstrates the University’s commitment to maintaining the safest possible atmosphere for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
CCU’s dedicated and highly capable law enforcement team is expertly trained and nationally recognized (the National Association of Campus Safety Administrators unanimously selected CCU Investigator Charles Kessler as 2018 Officer of the Year), employing state-of-the-art technology including camera systems, license tag readers, and investigation techniques to ensure that all crimes are reported and laws are enforced.
As the metropolitan area in which we are located continues to grow rapidly, CCU will continue striving to implement innovative strategies to safeguard this campus.
Clery Reports:
2023 Clery Report (PDF)
2022 Clery Report (PDF)
2021 Clery Report (PDF)