The Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose information about campus crime statistics, safety and security policies, and programs. All public and private post-secondary educational institutions participating in federal student aid programs are required to be in compliance with the act. The current publication is a report about the activities that occurred the previous calendar year with statistics for the previous three calendar years.
The 2022-2023 UCDC Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online here. The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures UCDC will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by UCDC or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in UCDC’s On-Campus Student Housing Facility (the UC Washington Center) during the three most recent calendar years.
A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can stop by the Residential Life Office in Room 413 (located at 1608 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC, 20036) or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (202) 974-6216 or emailing studentservices@ucdc.edu.
Safety
Like many large cities, Washington has a high crime rate. Nevertheless, many areas of the city are safe, and there are ways in which you can avoid becoming a crime victim.
- Always know where you are going. Purchase a pocket map of the city that includes a map of the Metro system and keep it with you. You are less likely to have trouble if you do not get lost and wander into a dangerous area. Avoid empty streets. If you need to go someplace and do not know the neighborhood, ask someone at the Washington Center.
- Travel in pairs or groups. You are much less likely to be accosted or harassed if you are part of a group. Discourage other students from traveling alone, especially at night.
- Do not carry large amounts of money or wear expensive jewelry. Always carry enough cash so that you can take a cab in an emergency. Also carry your cell phone or coins if you need to make an emergency call.
- Let roommates and friends know where you are going. If you decide to stay somewhere other than your room for a night, let your roommate know where you can be reached.
- Lock your doors. Do not prop the door open, even if you are just going down the hall to the laundry room. Carry your key with you at all times.
- If you are a victim of a crime or an attempted crime, try to attract attention to the criminal, scream at people to call the police, and try to remember details about the criminal and the crime. All Metro buses and Metro stations have direct links to the police. If you need help, stop a bus and ask the driver to call the police for you. Notify the Washington Center staff as soon as possible.
- Like most large cities in the United States, Washington has a large number of homeless people. Most of these people are not dangerous, but some are mentally ill. If asked for money, keep walking briskly and stay focused on your destination.
For more information on Safety and Security at the UCDC Center, please visit: Residential Life: Safety and Security
