Introduction
As part of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)), otherwise known as the Clery Act, Act qualifying incidents reported to University Police, from various sources including Campus Security Authorities, are required to be annually published and made available to the campus community.
One purpose of the Clery Act is to encourage the reporting and collection of accurate campus crime statistics to promote crime awareness and enhance campus safety. The intent of including non-law enforcement personnel in the Campus Security Authorities (CSA) role is to acknowledge that some community members and students in particular may be hesitant about reporting crimes to the police, but may be more inclined to report incidents to other campus-affiliated individuals.
Who must report qualifying crimes?
University CSA's have an obligation to promptly report allegations of Clery Act defined incidents which occurred on campus, on public property bordering campus and in non campus areas which the University leases or otherwise controls. These incidents include:
- murder or manslaughter
- sex offenses, forcible or non-forcible
- robbery
- aggravated assault
- burglary
- motor vehicle theft
- arson
- persons arrested or referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug-related violations and illegal weapons possession violations
In addition, the Clery Act requires institutions to report statistics for certain hate crimes (bias-motivated incidents).
Who is not a CSA?
Administrative, clerical, and maintenance staff who do not have "significant responsibility" for students and campus activities, individual faculty who do not serve as advisors to registered student organizations, physicians/nurses in Student Health who only provide care for students, licensed mental health counselor or a pastoral counselor when working within the scope of their license or religious assignment. Licensed mental health and pastoral counselors are encouraged to review crime reporting options (anonymous, if confidentiality is requested, in a Clery Crime Reporting Form or directly to Public Safety) as applicable / appropriate with individuals they are counseling who report a Clery Act qualifying incident.
Crime Reporting Process
If a student, faculty, or staff member tells a CSA about a Clery Act qualifying crime or an incident that may be a crime, that has been not reported to the University Police or another University official (CSA), the CSA is obligated to record the information on the Clery Crime Reporting Form and to submit to the University Police. It can also be faxed to 508.999.8122.
The reporting CSA should ensure that s/he completes all information on the form based on the information in their possession. CSA’s completing the Crime Report Form should not include the name of the reporting party or other individuals in the report if the person making the report request confidentiality. CSA’s should not investigate the crime or attempt to determine whether a crime, in fact, took place. University Police personnel may later contact the reporting CSA or others to gather additional information. When in doubt a report should be completed and submitted!
What is done with the Crime Report Form I submit?
University Police will review the submitted Crime Report Form and make a determination if it qualifies as a Clery Act reportable incident. The Community Police Officer will consolidate the data from multiple sources (including received CSA reported qualifying crimes), report data to the federal Department of Education, publish an Annual Security Report, and inform the campus community where the report / data is available.
Crime / Emergency and Non-Emergency Reporting
Regardless of your status (CSA or non-CSA), all community members are encouraged to promptly report all campus related criminal incidents and other public safety related emergencies to University Police. For incidents requiring immediate attention, dial 9191 from any campus phone or use one of the “Blue Light” Police Emergency Phones (call boxes) located throughout campus. Non-emergency incidents can be reported by 8107 from any campus phone or in person at Public Safety.
