Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group and Margolis Healy outline the Clery Act implications for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The document incorporates the April 3, 2020 Electronic Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Office of Postsecondary Education. The document also highlights broader public health considerations that are aligned with the Clery Act and institutional values. The Clery Act is premised on proving complete and accurate information to campus communities about issues related to health and safety. That is one of the underlying principles driving emergency notifications. The Clery Act emergency notification requirements, however, are only one facet of the public health and safety considerations facing IHEs. IHEs must also consider the responsibility to identify foreseeable risks and give timely notice to impacted community members as necessary to prevent or control the spread of COVID-19 or otherwise carry out public health interventions or investigations. The document provides an overview of the benefits of collaboration and coordination between campus safety, emergency management, and campus public health/medical professionals.
Download the document here.