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Clery Act | Campus Security Authorities (CSA)

Your Safety Matters

Southern University at New Orleans encourages the campus community to immediately report crimes or suspicious activity to the Southern University at New Orleans Police Department to help maintain the safest possible environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Under the Jeanne Clery Act, the University is required to compile and publish crime statistics in an Annual Security Report. As part of this obligation, members of the University’s community who are considered to be Campus Security Authorities are required to report crimes for inclusion as statistics in the University’s Annual Security Report.

Away Trip Guidelines 

For our CSA’s that are taking university students on a trip away from campus that is part of an official University event, they must report the trip details to the Clery Compliance Officer using the Clery Act Travel Reporting Form, so that the compliance officer can follow up with the local jurisdictions to request available crime statistics.

What is a campus security authority?

The Clery Act designates members of the campus community as campus security authorities (CSAs). When these individuals become aware of a crime that occurred on or around campus, they have an obligation under federal law to report the information to SUNOPD, the Title IX Office, or the Clery Compliance Officer. CSAs play a key role in ensuring the safety of the SUNO community by delivering information to the necessary offices, which in turn helps to ensure that the campus remains informed and that individuals have access to the support and resources they deserve.

CSAs do not need to investigate a crime but simply report information in an accurate and timely manner as our institution is responsible for notifying the campus community about crimes that pose a serious or ongoing threat to the community.

What makes you a CSA?

The law defines four categories of CSAs:

1) University Police Department sworn personnel and department administrators.

2) People or offices responsible for campus security – campus contract security personnel, personnel providing access control and/or security at campus facilities, athletic events or other special events, safety escort staff, resident directors and assistants, and other similar positions.

3) The Officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities category is defined broadly to ensure complete coverage and thorough reporting of crimes. To determine which individuals or organizations are CSA consider job functions that involve relationships with students. Look for Officials (i.e., not support staff) whose functions involve relationships with students. An Official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the College. If someone has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, she/he is a CSA.

Some examples of CSAs in this category include but are not limited to: academic deans; student affairs / residential life officials; coordinators of Greek affairs (or related positions; athletic administrators including director, assistant directors, and coaches; student activities coordinators and staff; student judicial officials; faculty and staff advisors to student organizations; student center building staff; student peer education advisors; and administrators at branch campuses.

4) Any individual or organization specified in an institution’s statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offenses – Campus Security (University Police / Title IX Coordinator).

Some examples of CSAs:

  1. Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators, and Title IX liaisons
  2. Resident Assistants and Community Coordinators
  3. Coaches and athletic trainers
  4. Front desk receptionists responsible for limiting access to buildings or areas
  5. Building Managers and those with the ability to access buildings or rooms for others
  6. Ombudspersons
  7. Anyone supervising students outside of a classroom environment, including:
    1. Student worker supervisors
    2. Faculty or staff advisors to student groups/organizations
    3. Individuals traveling with students domestically or overseas
  8. Individuals who investigate and adjudicate student or employee conduct matters
  9. Student/Victim Advocates
  10. Director of University Health Services and Counseling and Mental Health Services
  11. Academic Advisors
  12. Deans and Department Heads
  13. Program Directors and Associate Directors

Note: Faculty members who only teach and have no other duties do not need to be classified as CSAs. However, anyone who has significant responsibility for student activities and/or campus activities is considered a CSA. 

Who is not a CSA?

The following non-CSA positions/functions include but are not limited to faculty members without responsibility for student and campus activity beyond the classroom; physicians/nurses in the Student Health and Counseling Center who only provide care for students; clerical or administrative support staff; cafeteria staff; facilities maintenance staff; information technology staff, licensed mental health or pastoral counselors, when acting within the scope of their license or certificate; and other like functions. 

What are my responsibilities?

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act crimes. CSAs must also report any Clery Act crimes reported to them or that they witness. However, CSAs are not required to report crimes that they learn of indirectly (e.g., overhearing; through in‐class discussion; or mentioned during a speech, workshop, or group presentation). CSA crime reporting is not a substitute for, nor does it supersede, any existing internal Departmental or other University reporting methods or protocols already in place for reporting incidents.

A Clery Act crime is considered “reported” when it is brought to the attention of a CSA, the SUNOPD, or local law enforcement personnel by a victim, witness, other third party, or even the offender. The crime reporting party, victim, witness, or offender does not need to be affiliated with the University. While CSAs are only obligated to report Clery Act crimes that occurred within the University's Clery Geography, CSAs are encouraged to promptly report all campus-related criminal incidents, and other public safety‐related emergencies, to SUNOPD. Reporting all incidents of crime is important, because sometimes it may not be clear as to whether the incident occurred within the Clery Geography.

What crimes do I need to report?

While the Clery Act lists specific crimes for the University to track and report annually, SUNO has determined that Campus Security Authorities should report ANY and ALL alleged, actual, or potential crimes

If you are unsure whether an incident is a crime-report it! Remember: Campus Security Authorities are not responsible for determining whether a crime took place and may not seek to apprehend any perpetrator(s). 

You may report any crime information you receive directly to the University Police Department (SUNOPD).

Sex offenses, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking must be reported to Title IX. Survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking must be provided with written information on their rights and options, which the Title IX Office will ensure happens.

You may also use the Campus Security Authority Individual Reporting Form to report crime directly to the Clery Compliance Officer.

If you are unsure for any reason whether an incident should reported, please report the incident. When in doubt, report.

If you need assistance reporting an incident, you may reach out to the SUNO's Clery Compliance Officer.

When and how do I report a crime?

When a crime is reported, the CSA should always handle emergencies immediately by calling 911.

If it is not an emergency, the CSA should ask the individual reporting the crime if they would like to report the incident to law enforcement. If they do, the CSA can coordinate reporting and contact the SUNOPD or local law enforcement.

You may report any crime information you receive directly to the University Police Department (SUNOPD).

All University employees (including student employees) are obligated to promptly report gender-based violence (sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking) of which they become aware to the Office Title IX by completing a Title IX Campus Report Form or calling 504-286-5362.

It is very important that CSAs report crime on a timely basis to SUNOPD because a reported crime may warrant a university-issued timely warning to the University community. CSAs should not investigate a crime reported to them or attempt to determine whether a crime took place. CSAs should simply report the crime.

When talking with a victim, remember 

  • Be an open and supportive listener
  • Understand that trauma affects everyone differently
  • Be non-judgmental 

You may also use the Campus Security Authority Individual Reporting Form to report crime directly to the Clery Compliance Officer.

If you are unsure for any reason whether an incident should reported, please report the incident. When in doubt, report.

If you need assistance reporting an incident, you may reach out to the SUNO's Clery Compliance Officer.

If someone reports an incident to me in confidence, do I still have to report it?

Yes. Any criminal incident that occurs on University-owned or controlled property must be recorded on the Crime and Fire Log and reviewed for inclusion as a statistic in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. You can report "anonymously," i.e., without revealing the victim's identity, but you must still report the nature of the incident, the time it occurred, and the location to ensure accurate statistics.

Suppose you are a recognized pastoral or licensed/certified professional counselor functioning within that capacity at the University. In that case, you do not have to report crimes you become aware of under the Clery Act. However, if you have another role at SUNO that qualifies as a Campus Security Authority position and your roles cannot be separated, you are considered a Campus Security Authority and obligated to report crimes of which you are aware.

What is done with CSA Report Forms?

The Clery Compliance Officer reviews Report Forms and determines if an incident qualifies as a Clery Act reportable crime and as such, is reportable in the Annual Security Report. The Clery Compliance Officer will consolidate crime data from multiple sources, report the data to the federal Department of Education, publish the campus Annual Security and Fire Report, and inform the campus community when and where crime data is available.

Southern University at New Orleans' Annual Security and Fire Report data are posted on SUNOPD's website; https://www.suno.edu/page/campus-police.

Hard copies of this report are also available, upon request, from SUNOPD.

How often will I need to go through training?

We want to ensure you understand your Campus Security Authority role. Campus Security Authorities are a critical link within our community — you help ensure the campus remains informed and that individuals coming forward have access to the information and resources they deserve. 

CSAs are required by law to receive annual Training.

Campus Security Authority (CSA) Training

Campus Security Authority (CSA) Training Quiz

Clery Act Reporting Reference Guide

 

For questions regarding Clery Compliance, please contact the Clery Compliance Officer at clerycompliance@suno.edu.