» Campus crime report finds increase in sexual crimes

The 2024 Annual Campus Safety and Fire Report has been available for review since Monday, September 30. The report is prepared in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and the Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years and information about the University's current campus security, fire safety and related policies.

The origins of the Clery Act lie in tragedy, as it was introduced following the rape and murder of Jeanne Clery in her college dorm room in 1986. Her parents were unaware of the danger their daughter faced, which led the couple to advocate for policy changes and initiate an open dialogue about campus safety.

Over the past two years, the report was compiled by Sgt. Mike Santos. Speaking to The Mirror, Santos admitted that the process is “laborious” and can only be completed by a person who has completed Clery Act Training Seminars (CATS). According to the Clery Center, the seminars are “multi-day, in-depth Clery Act training courses offered in three modalities: in-person, virtual and self-paced.” Santos and the entire Department of Public Safety (DPS) are committed to this that “the entire university community remains as free from crime as possible while continuing its academic endeavors to the fullest extent,” according to Fairfield University’s website.

The Mirror has identified some standout incidents from 2023.

1. There was an incident involving the possession of weapons in a student dormitory.
2. The number of reported sexual incidents increased from 3 to 8 between 2022 and 2023. Seven of those incidents occurred on campus.
3. Three cases of “sexual assault: rape” were reported. Two incidents occurred in student residences and one occurred at an off-campus facility.
4. There were four cases of violent petting in student dormitories.
5. There were five stalking incidents on university campuses. Three took place in student dormitories.

DPS was able to provide insight into the gun ownership and stated that a group of students fired a “Molotov cocktail” at Grauert Field. Britannica defines the “Molotov cocktail” as “a crude bomb, typically consisting of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid and a wick that is ignited before being thrown.” The students who had made the bomb with experimental intentions were immediately arrested by Fairfield police.

The Mirror asked DPS for additional insight into these statistics. They were referred to Jennifer Anderson '97, MBA '02, vice president of marketing and communications, for comment. Anderson did not respond in time for print. The Mirror will continue to investigate and provide updates as they become available. The most current version of the Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report can be accessed digitally at fairfield.edu/clery. Paper copies of the Annual Campus Safety and Fire Safety Report are available at the Fairfield University Department of Public Safety, Loyola Hall, Room #2, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

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