Campus Security Authority

Campus Security Authority Information

Cleveland State University recognizes that in order to fulfill its responsibilities and maximize safety on campus, individuals throughout all parts of campus, not just law enforcement, must work together to report knowledge of crimes on campus.

A federal law, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (commonly referred to as the “Clery Act”), requires CSU to disclose information about crime on and around campus reported to local police agencies and to individual employees, referred to as “Campus Security Authorities,” or “CSAs.”    The intent in having non-law enforcement personnel in the role of CSA is to acknowledge that some individuals may be more inclined to report an incident to other campus-affiliated individuals than to the police.

Am I a CSA?

You are a Campus Security Authority (CSA) if you fall into one or more of the following categories:

1. Campus police or security;
2. Non-police security staff responsible for monitoring University property, some examples include, an individual who is responsible for monitoring entrance into campus property, special events security staff, or security escorts;
3. Any individual or organization designated to receive reports of criminal offenses from students and employees; and
4. An official who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including but not limited to, residential life staff, the Dean of Students, the Director of Greek Life, student organizations advisors, the Director of Athletics and coaching staff.

If you are not sure whether you are a CSA, please contact police@csuohio.edu.

I am a CSA; what should I do?

As a CSA, you play a critical role in the University fulfilling its responsibilities and maximizing safety on campus.  Your role is to report information you may have about certain crimes on campus.  You are never required to investigate a crime, only to report it to the CSU Police Department.  And you are not required to determine whether a crime took place before making a report.

What are CSAs required to report?

The criminal offenses that a CSA is required to report are:

• murder/non-negligent manslaughter
• negligent manslaughter
• sex offenses (forcible and non-forcible), including sexual assault
• dating violence
• domestic violence
• stalking
• robbery
• aggravated assault
• assault
• theft
• intimidation
• burglary
• motor vehicle theft
• arson
• liquor law violations
• vandalism
• drug violations
• illegal weapons possession. 

These are often referred to as “Clery crimes.”  The University has developed a Clery Reporting Form to assist you in making reports.

CSAs must report crimes that occur anywhere on campus, including in campus buildings as well as in outdoor areas on campus.  They must also report crimes that occur on public property adjacent to and accessible from campus such as sidewalks, streets and parking near campus.  Lastly, a CSA must report crimes that occur on non-campus property owned or controlled by the University or frequently used by students; for example, leased property where evening classes take place.  The geography of a crime can be difficult to determine, particularly in the case of non-campus property or public property, but it is always better to err on the side of reporting the crime. 

It is important to provide as much information about an incident as possible to aid law enforcement and to categorize the crime.  However, you should try to collect the information from the individual without prying or judging; listen to the individual and provide them additional resources for help and support.

What are the definitions for these crimes?

Definitions for the crimes may be found here.

Where do I make a report?

Submit the Clery Reporting form to police@csuohio.edu

Where can I get more information?

You can get more information about your responsibilities as a CSA by contacting police@csuohio.edu.