Campus Security Authorities (CSA)

Campus Security Authorities (CSA)

The Clery Act requires that in addition to campus law enforcement, staff designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSA) provide statistics for this report.

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 the University of Dallas to provide an annual safety and security report. In addition to input from law enforcement, certain staff positions are designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSA) 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 UD to receive and report offenses.

CSA's are responsible for reporting the number of crimes and incidents as described in the Clery Act that occur in their department to the University of Dallas Police Department Department (CSO). These numbers are then included in the federally mandated Clery Report, which is distributed every year in the beginning of October.

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, student housing, student discipline, and campus judicial proceedings

What do I have to do?

Report criminal incidents that occur on campus to the University of Dallas Police Department Department (UDPD).

What crimes do I need to report?

Homicide

Aggravated Assault

Sexual Assault

Robbery

Burglary

Motor Vehicle Theft (Stolen vehicles)

Arson

Weapon Violations (e.g. Possession, Brandishing)

Alcohol Violation (e.g. Minor in possession)

Drug Violations

Hate Crimes

In addition to the crimes above, the crime must occur at one of the following locations:

On Campus, including Student Housing

Public Property Streets (streets or sidewalks adjacent to the campus)

Why is this necessary?

Keeping accurate crime statistics will help the University 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 other campus affiliated individuals.

If the University is found to be non-compliant with any aspect of the Clery law the university can be fined and risk losing federal funding.

How do I report incidents to the University of Dallas Police Department Department?

You should report incidents individually as they are reported to you. Call CSO at 972-721-5305 or you can report it in whatever manner is easiest for you.

UDPD 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 UDPD will determine if it is a Clery reportable crime.

Are there exemptions to CSA reporting incidents?

Yes, certain individuals who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities 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.

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 University of Dallas Police Department Department?          

The United States Department of Education is charged with enforcing the Jeanne Clery Act and may level civil penalties against institutions of higher education up to $35,000 per violation or may suspend them from participating in federal student financial aid programs. Complaints of violations should be filed with DOE regional offices.