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OCTOBER 27, 2000

Crime statistics for colleges throughout the country are now available online, but concerned users might have a hard time comparing the data.

Additionally, statistics at most of the nation's tribal colleges are non-existent. But the Department of Education says not all of the data has been entered just yet.

Colleges and universities eligible for certain federal funds are required by law to keep statistics on campus crime. Violent crimes, burglaries, auto thefts and arrests for liquor, drug and weapons violations are to be reported to the Department of Education.

Beginning in 1998, the reports are to be made available online. The result is the Campus Security Website, from the Office of Postsecondary Education within the Department, which presents statistics for the years 1997 to 1999.

The site can be searched by geographic area, state, type of institution, and type of progrma. Or, typing in the exact name of the desired institution will bring up that college's report.

But since each college reports and collects statistics differently, it can be hard to compare the data. Size and location of campus can affect the data and some schools report crimes that occured near campus.

Of the nation's 31 tribal colleges, crime statistics on 16 are not reported, while four are unavailable. The crimes and arrests run the gamut of 78 burglaries at Diné College in Arizona to 10 burglaries at Northwest Indian College in Washington.

Statistics for both the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute are not reported. The two are located in urban areas in New Mexico.

Get Tribal College Info:
Tribal College Crime Statistics (Indian U. 10/27)

Relevant Links:
The OPE Campus Security Statistics Website - www.ope.ed.gov/security/
The American Indian Higher Education Coalition - www.aihec.org