What is a Campus Security Authority
The Federal law known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, better known as the Clery Act, was enacted to help create safer university communities throughout the nation. The "Clery Act" is named in memory of 19 year old Lehigh University freshman Jeanne Ann Clery who was raped and murdered while asleep in her residence hall room on April 5, 1986. The Act is enforced by the United States Department of Education. The University is serious about its responsibility for complying not only with requirements of the Act, but more importantly, complying with the spirit of the Act.
The overall intent of the Clery Act is to encourage the reporting and collection of accurate campus crime data, to promote crime awareness and to enhance campus safety. As part of the requirements, institutions must set up a system of ensuring accurate and timely crime reporting through the use of Campus Security Authorities (CSAs).
CSAs have federally mandated responsibilities to report crimes that they witness or are reported to them. The intent of including non‐law enforcement personnel in the role of a CSA is to acknowledge that some campus community members, students in particular, may be hesitant about reporting a crime to the police, but may be more inclined to report it to other campus‐affiliated individuals.
The documents below will give you an understanding of what CSAs are and their responsibilities.
- Information for CSAs – This document provides information regarding what makes an individual a Campus Security Authority, and his/her responsibilities under the Clery Act; it includes a Q & A to help provide further clarification.
- Clery Act Crime Categories – This document provides information on the types of crimes that must be reported for the maintenance of statistical information and inclusion in the Annual Campus.
- Clery Act Reportable Locations – This document provides information on the geographic areas, or “Clery Geography” as defined by the Clery Act; if a Clery Act crime is reported to have occurred in one of these locations, it must be documented.
If you are a faculty or staff or an individual who has high student interaction as part of your job responsibility who is interested in becoming a CSA, please contact Jon-Michael MCDaniel.
CSA Training Video
In this section, you will find a Campus Security Authority (CSA) training video and power point. The video and power point must be viewed by anyone who has been identified as a CSA.
The video delivers an over-view of CSAs, their responsibilities and the role they play, told through the lens of powerful personal narratives (including Jeanne Clery’s mother). It also touches on listening, documenting and reporting, and how the information is used. You will need a my.unl login to view the video.
The power point provides further clarification on CSA expectations, as well as information on the differences between reporting for the Clery Act and Title IX.