October 24, 2000

9:17 AM

The OPE Campus Security Statistics Website allows you to research criminal offenses that were reported at over 6000 colleges nation wide, (United States). University participation is compulsory.

Of course, what they don't mention is lots of schools, including my alma mater, refer certain complaints (commonly those dealing with sexual assault) directly to local law enforcement, and keep no official record of the incident with the school itself. I was semi-involved with my school's Women's Resource Center in '98, and I can tell you there were a lot more incidents of sexual assault than listed on the OPE site.
posted by alan (2 comments total)

Alan: If you know of specific incidents that don't show up on the school's statistics, turn them in. As this New York Times story states, the government can fine an institution $25,000 for every crime that isn't included in these stats.
posted by rcade at 10:44 AM on October 24, 2000

UNM was busted for "cooking" these same statistics. i'm not sure what their punishment was, but i remember seeing the ones they turned in vs. actual in the paper.
posted by sugarfish at 10:45 AM on October 24, 2000