NCJ Number
141287
Journal
Journal of Security Administration Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 31-47
Date Published
1992
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Using data obtained from 546 colleges and universities, this study found a strong relationship between campus characteristics and campus crime reported to the police.
Abstract
Campus crime data consisted of all reported offenses at colleges and universities in the United States whose enrollment was at least 3,000 students and which had on- campus housing available during the 1989-90 academic year. The data examined were for crimes reported during the 1989- 90 academic year. To examine possible correlates of campus crime, data on the global characteristics of the colleges and universities were used. This information was taken from Peterson's Guide to Four-Year Colleges and Universities. Using this information, variables were designed to measure various characteristics of the institutions and their students. The study found that, contrary to recent media reports, campus crime typically does not involve violence; violent crime constituted the smallest category of campus crime, both in raw numbers and percent of the total. Theft and burglary constituted the bulk (approximately 64 percent) of reported crime on these campuses. The results of a bivariate analysis of campus characteristics and campus crime showed that of 13 variables, 9 of them achieved statistical significance, and 7 were strongly related to campus crime. Variables strongly related to campus crime were the college setting, the degree of difficulty in gaining admission, the cost, the total enrollment of the institution, and the size of the Greek fraternity and sorority system. The ratio of full-time security staff to students was also a significant factor. Campus security officials must devise plans to address the interaction of campus crime and campus characteristics. 2 figures, 1 table, 8 notes, and 21 references