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Campus Security Authority (CSA)

Revised Systemwide Policy

In the 2021 revision of the Systemwide Policy titled Implementation of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (formerly referred to as Executive Order 1107), language was added regarding a requirement for individuals in positions designated as Campus Security Authorities to complete training as directed by the Clery Director. As a result of the meet and confer process, all questions and concerns were successfully addressed with affected bargaining units. The University has fully satisfied its obligation to meet and confer regarding this revised policy prior to its publication.

At Sacramento State, Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are required to complete CSA training on an annual basis.

To request an in-person CSA training for your group or department, please select the button below and complete the request form. Trainings held in person fulfill the requirement for the annual CSA training and CSU Learn records for attendees are updated shortly after the training is held.

CSA In-Person Training Request Form

What is a Campus Security Authority?

The Clery Act identifies certain categories of University employees, students, volunteers, and contractors as CSAs who have federally mandated responsibilities to report Clery Act crimes that are reported to them.

The intent of including non‐law enforcement personnel in the role of CSA is to acknowledge that some community members, and students in particular, may be hesitant about reporting crime to the police, but may be more inclined to report incidents to other campus‐affiliated individuals.

How CSAs are identified

The Clery Act defines the following four categories of CSAs:

  1. A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution.
  2. Any individual or individuals who have responsibility for campus security but who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department (e.g., an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance into institutional property).
  3. 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.
  4. An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. To determine which individuals are CSAs, consider job functions that involve relationships with students.

PLEASE NOTE:

It is an employee's job function determines whether or not they are a CSA. Even if a person's job function or role on campus does not meet one of the specific definitions above, the Director of Clery Compliance can still, at their discretion, identify that person as a CSA specifically due to the function of their job or role on campus.

CSU Systemwide Policy has delegated the responsibility to each separate campus' Director of Clery Compliance for identifying, notifying, and providing training to those on their campus designated as CSAs. CSA designations can vary from campus to campus. If you are identified as a CSA for Sac State and your counterpart at another campus has not been designated for their campus, that determination was made by that campus' Clery Director and has no bearing on whether or not you should or should not be a CSA at Sac State.

If you have questions about this, please reach out to the Director of Clery Compliance at clery@csus.edu.

Campus Security Authority (CSA) Basic Guide

CSA Training

If you are identified as a CSA at Sac State, you will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn. The email you receive from CSU Learn will serve to inform you that you have been designated and provide further information as well as instructions for accessing the training.

Most CSAs may fulfill their training requirement by completing the Sac State: Clery Act Campus Security Authority Course.* A separate course has been designed for either Police Department Personnel or Non-Police Department Personnel. This appropriate version will be assigned to you upon acceptance of a position which confirms your status as a CSA. You will have 14 days to complete the training and will need to repeat the training annually as long as you in a CSA position.

*Resident Advisors (RAs) and Front Desk Advisors (FDAs) in Housing, as well as Campus Safety Officers (CSOs) in the Police Department, may complete the CSA training in-person. This will be arranged by Housing or Police Department management and will generally be held during your orientation as an RA, FDA, or CSO.

CSA Crime Reporting Obligation

CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act crimes which are reported to them or to which they are a witness. CSAs are not required to report crimes that they learn of indirectly (e.g., overhear; through in‐class discussion; mentioned during a speech, workshop, or group presentation).

CSAs must immediately report all suspicious or criminal activity to the Sacramento State Police Department. Even in cases when the victim asks for anonymity, CSAs must immediately call the Sacramento State Police Department. The Sacramento State Police Department will make the determination whether the incident falls under the Clery Act and what action should be taken to address the situation.

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.

We capture Clery Act crime reports when it meets the following requirements:
  • the incident is reported to Sacramento State Police Department, the local police, or a CSA by a victim, witness, third party, or even the offender
  • the incident occurs within Sac State’s Clery Geography
  • the officer or campus security authority believe the report was made in good faith (not rumor or hearsay)

Note: The victim, witness, third party, or offender who is reporting the crime does not need to be affiliated with the University. Under the Clery Act, crimes are reflected in the crime statistics in the year they are reported, not necessarily in the year they occurred.

How to respond to a reported incident

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

If it is not an emergency, the CSA should call the non-emergency number for the Sacramento State Police Department to report the crime.

All incidents of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (including sexual battery and rape), dating or domestic violence, and stalking, should be reported to the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO) or the Title IX Coordinator by completing an Online Complaint Form. Please note that all employees, except for those specifically designated by the University as those who can receive these reports confidentially, are required to report these crimes to OEO as well as to the Sacramento State Police Department.

It is very important that CSAs report crime in a timely manner to the Sacramento State Police Department so a reported crime may be assessed for a Timely Warning Notice or Emergency Notification to the University community. CSAs should not investigate a crime reported to them or attempt to determine whether in fact 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

An example of how to say this is:

“I’m here to help and I’m ready to listen. I know that it takes courage for you to share this with me and before you go forward, I need you to know there are certain things I have to share with the appropriate campus authorities. While I cannot grant confidentiality, I can help you find a confidential person to talk with if you would prefer. I hope you will talk to someone – whether it’s me or a confidential resource.”

The way you deliver this message is just as important as the words you say. Be sincere. Have an earnest face and a posture that conveys openness.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Confidentiality

When a student comes to you to report an incident, as a CSA, you cannot grant confidentiality. There are only two locations on campus that can provide confidential services:

  • Student Health, Counseling, & Wellness by calling (916) 278-6461
  • Sac State's Victim Advocate, which is through our campus partnership with WEAVE, by calling (916) 278-5850

All other campus employees are required to report all crimes and all VAWA (sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking) incidents for possible inclusion in Clery statistics. When a student comes to report, make sure they know of your obligation to report.

Anonymity

While you cannot grant confidentiality, if the reporting party wishes to make an anonymous report, you can gather the pertinent crime information excluding their name and contact information to ensure we can determine if the crime would meet Clery counting guidelines. Make sure to verbally confirm that they do not wish their name to be included in the report. If that is their choice they should be made aware that electing to remain anonymous may greatly limit the University’s ability to stop the prohibited conduct, collect evidence, or take effective action against individuals or organizations.

If you receive a report of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, you must report those crimes to the Office of Equal Opportunity as well as the Sac State Police Department.

  • You CAN grant anonymity when reporting these crimes to the Police Department
  • You CANNOT grant anonymity when reporting these crimes to OEO

Regardless of their wishes to report an incident, survivors of crimes are afforded rights and interim measures for offenses involving sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. To review information about available resources, please visit Victims’ Rights and Options. This document is also a helpful reminder to CSAs of the many resources the campus provides and how to communicate about these resources.

California Education Code Section 67380(A)(6)(A)
Pursuant to California Education Code section §67380(a)(6)(A), Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) who receive reports from employees or students of a Part I violent crime, sexual assault, or hate crime that occurred in an on-campus or non-campus location as defined by the Clery Act, may not disclose to UPD or local law enforcement agencies the names of the victims or the alleged assailant, unless the victim consents to disclosing their name after being informed of their right to have their personally identifying information withheld. The name of the alleged assailant may be disclosed, however, if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The alleged assailant represents a serious or ongoing threat to the safety of students, employees, or the institution; and
  • The immediate assistance of the local law enforcement agency is necessary to contact or detain the alleged assailant.

Resources for Reporting Parties

On-Campus Resources

As a CSA, you play a key role in ensuring this institution’s safety by delivering information to the necessary individuals and connecting the individuals to the right resources. Below are some helpful campus resources you may provide to the individuals:

Non-Confidential Resources