Campus Security Authorities
What is a CSA?
A CSA is a person referred to as a Campus Security Authority by the Clery Act. CSA's are a vital part of data collection for the annual safety and security report.
The Clery Act requires Fisher to provide an annual safety and security report. In addition to input from law enforcement, certain positions are designated as CSAs for the purpose of providing information for this report. CSAs are usually found in departments responsible for, but not limited to, student and campus activities, safety/security, discipline, housing, athletics, human resources, or judicial proceedings. This designation also includes any individual who has been specified by Fisher to receive and report offenses.
CSAs are responsible for reporting the number of crimes and incidents as described in the Clery Act that they become aware of to the Office of Safety and Security. These numbers are then included in the federally mandated Clery Report, which is distributed every year in the beginning of October.
The following answers are based on The Handbook for Campus Crime Reporting, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.
What Makes Me a CSA?
- Individuals who have responsibility for campus security.
- Any individual specified by the University as an individual to which students should report criminal offenses.
- An official of the University who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including but not limited to, Residential Life and Student Conduct.
Campus Security Authorities include:
- Title IX Coordinator
- Division of Student Affairs (non-clerical, non-clinical, non-pastoral)
- Athletics: athletic director, coaches, trainers, compliance officers
- Assistant Vice President for Human Resources
- Director of Student Accessibility Services
- Faculty/staff advisors to student clubs or organizations
- Faculty/staff chaperones for student events and off-site trips
- Director of Study Abroad
- Students and/or staff who monitor access to the Athletic Center, Library, or Campus Center
- Resident assistants, peer mentors, student chaperones, and orientation leaders
CSA Responsibilities
As a CSA, you must report criminal incidents that occur on campus or at a Fisher sponsored event. Crimes to report include:
- Homicide
- Aggravated assault
- Sexual assault
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft (stolen vehicles)
- Arson
- Weapon violations
- Hate crimes
In addition to the crimes above, the crime must occur at one of the following locations:
- On-campus, including residence halls
- Off-campus at Fisher sponsored events, on university controlled property, or at a property controlled by a recognized student organization.
- Public property streets (streets adjacent to the campus)
Why Is This Necessary?
- Keeping accurate crime statistics will help Fisher know where to provide prevention programs and safety awareness programs to help keep the campus safe.
- The intent of including non-law enforcement personnel as CSAs is to acknowledge that many individuals, and students in particular, are hesitant about reporting crimes to the police, but may be more inclined to report incidents to the campus affiliated individuals.
- Fisher must comply with all aspects of the Clery Act.
Reporting Incidents as a CSA
How do I report incidents to the Office of Safety and Security?
You can either report incidents individually as they are reported to you or all at once using the Office of Safety and Security’s Campus Security Authority Crime Report form.
What happens after the Office of Safety and Security receives an incident from a CSA?
The crime analyst collects all incidents received from CSAs. The incidents are reviewed for duplication and to verify that each incident is Clery reportable. The incidents are then classified into their proper crime and geographical categories and added to the annual Clery statistics.
What if I am unsure if an incident is a crime? Or if it should be reported under Clery?
Please report it with as much detail as possible about the incident. Do not include names of the victim or suspect. The crime analyst will determine if it is a Clery reportable crime.
If the Office of Safety and Security isn't going to investigate these crimes, what is the purpose of reporting incidents to the police department?
Many crimes do not get reported to the police. By collecting data from other sources, we are getting a more accurate number of crimes on campus. This is a resource for the campus community to use to make informed decisions about their safety.
Are there exemptions to CSA reporting incidents?
Yes, certain individuals are exempt from disclosing information:
- Pastoral counselor: A person who is associated with a religious order or denomination, is recognized by that religious order as someone who provides confidential counseling, and is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor.
- Professional counselor: A person whose official responsibility includes providing mental health counseling to members of the institutions community and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification. This definition applies even to professional counselors who are not employees of the institution but are under contract to provide counseling at the institution.
- Licensed medical providers: A person whose official responsibility includes providing medical health services to members of the institution's community and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification. This definition applies even to medical providers who are not employees of the institution but are under contract to provide medical service at the institution.
However, we strongly encourage everyone to report since it is for statistical purposes only.
What happens if I do not report criminal incidents to the Office of Safety and Security?
The United States Department of Education is charged with enforcing the Jeanne Clery Act and may level civil penalties against the University. CSA's are notified of their status and obligation each semester. Taking action against University Policy and directive may result in individual liability.