Can timely warnings be issued for non-Clery Act crimes?

Timely warnings, often referred to as “Timely Warning Notifications,” are intended to inform the campus community about Clery Act crimes that pose an ongoing or continuing threat to students and employees. The Clery Act specifies certain crimes, such as homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and certain hate crimes, that must be reported when they occur on or near campus.

The rationale behind limiting timely warnings to Clery Act crimes is rooted in the essential goal of enhancing campus safety and awareness. By focusing on specific crimes defined by the Clery Act, institutions can ensure that they inform their community about incidents that are deemed to have significant implications for their safety and security. This requirement underscores the necessity of maintaining transparency and offering guidance on how to protect oneself from dangers that are flagged as serious threats to the campus community.

While other crimes may still be significant, they do not fall under the Clery Act’s criteria for timely warnings. Thus, important considerations such as the nature of the crime and its potential impact on the campus environment dictate the scope of timely warning notifications.