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Liability and Responsibility of Institutions of Higher Education for the On-Campus Victimization of Students

NCJ Number
139986
Journal
Journal of College and University Law Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (1989) Pages: 119-135
Author(s)
K W Bhirdo
Date Published
1989
Length
17 pages
Annotation
College administrators should respond to the increasing incidence of campus crime by implementing crime prevention measures, especially the education of students, employees, and the public regarding the potential for victimization and the actions to take if they are a crime victim or witness a crime or suspicious activity.
Abstract
Campus crime has reached its highest level ever. The number of civil liability claims against universities are showing a parallel increase. Under basic tort and property law, if the university failed to meet its duty to warn or protect, the courts find it liable for negligence. Some States are also considering legislation like the College and University Security Information Act recently enacted in Pennsylvania, requiring institutions to provide crime statistics. Regardless of State or Federal laws, administrators must acknowledge that campus crime is a crisis and continue to implement preventive measures. Footnotes