Who is a Campus Security Authority (CSA)?
“CSA" is a Clery Act-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups and individual university employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.
The law defines a CSA as "an official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings."
CSAs may also be identified by job function; that is, any employee who, by virtue of their job function, has significant responsibility for assisting students or campus activities. Examples would be student advisors or formal or informal student mentors.
The Role of CSAs
CSAs should NOT investigate crimes or attempt to determine whether a crime occurred. Rather, a CSA's obligation is to simply report the information as soon as possible.
If you are unsure a crime is reportable, please err on the side of caution and notify the Division of Public Safety immediately. A crime is considered "reportable" when it is brought to your attention. Third-party reports of crimes are Clery-reportable.
Complete a CSA Incident Report
Training for CSAs
University individuals who are CSAs will be notified annually of their role as a CSA and directed to take mandatory CSA training, which is made available on Canvas.
CSA FAQs
- You are a trusted person on the CWRU campus.
- You are in a role where a fellow student, faculty member or staff may come to you for support.
- You play a very important role in assisting with the prevention and response to crime!
A few examples include:
- Members of police and security departments
- Deans and directors
- Title IX coordinators
- Office of Student Conduct staff
- Athletic team coaches
- University housing staff
- Faculty and staff advisors to student organizations
- Study abroad faculty and staff
- Greek life advisors
- Listen to what they have to say
- Inform them (what you’ll do, what they can expect)
- Refer them
- Thank them
- Report it
- If you are unsure whether the crime should be reported, REPORT IT! There is no harm in submitting a report that may not need included as a statistic. However, not reporting Clery Crimes could cause the university to be penalized.
Report Clery crimes to your supervisor or the CWRU Police Department.
Keep in mind, ALL crimes need to be reported to the police department; however, Clery crimes need to be reported as a statistic as well.
Remember: The individual reporting the crime may not want police involvement. That is their right; however, YOU MUST STILL REPORT THE CLERY CRIME; the crime will need to be reported as a statistic.
Reporting is easy! Fill out the CSA incident report form.
- Date/time of the incident
- General location
- Description (nature of the crime)