Campus Security Authorities
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The Clery Act identifies certain categories of students, university employees and contractors as Campus Security Authorities (CSA) who have federally mandated responsibilities to report alleged Clery Act crimes that they witness or are reported to them.
Identifying Campus Security Authorities
The law defines the following four categories of CSAs:
- University Police department sworn law enforcement personnel and department administrators.
- Non-police people or offices responsible for campus security — community service officers, campus contract security personnel, parking enforcement staff, personnel providing access control and/or security at campus facilities, athletic events or other special events, safety escort staff, residential community assistants and other similar positions.
- Officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities — an Official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the University. To determine which individuals of organizations are CSAs, consider job functions that involve relationships with students. Look for Officials (i.e., not support staff) whose functions involve relationships with students. If someone has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, then they would be considered a CSA. Some examples of CSAs in this category include, but are not limited to: academic deans; student affairs / residential life officials; coordinator of Greek affairs (or related positions); athletic administrators, including directors, assistant directors and coaches; student activities coordinators and staff; student judicial officials; faculty and staff advisors to student organizations; student center building staff; student peer education advisors; and administrators at branch campuses.
- 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.
If you are not sure whether or not you are a CSA please contact University Police or the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for clarification.
Clery Act Crimes and Reportable Locations
A Clery Act crime is considered reported when it is brought to the attention of a CSA, University Police or local law enforcement personnel by a victim, witness, other third party or even the offender. The crime reporting party need not be university-affiliated.
CSAs have an important role in complying with the Clery Act, which was enacted to help create a safer University community. Timely reporting of crimes by CSAs allows the University the opportunity to review whether or not a community crime alert should be issued and assists in maintaining accurate crime data.
The United States Department of Education identifies the following as reportable crimes in accordance with the Clery Act.
- Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter
- Manslaughter by Negligence
- Sex Offenses (Rape, Fondling, Incest, Statutory Rape)
- Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Arson
- Hate Crimes (Any of the crimes listed above plus Simple Assault, Larceny or Theft, Intimidation or Damage or Destruction or Vandalism of Property motivated by bias in one of the bias categories)
- Liquor Law Violations Arrests and Referrals
- Drug Law Violations Arrests and Referrals
- Weapons Law Violations Arrests and Referrals
- Dating Violence Domestic Violence
- Stalking
Residence Halls
Includes all residence halls and apartments owned or operated by the University at Buffalo.
Non-Campus Building or Property
Includes Anderson Gallery, Flickinger Apartments, the President's residence, Jacobs Executive Management Center, the Research Institute on Addiction, Baird Research Park and The Buffalo Life Science Center or Center of Excellence.
On Public Property
Includes streets, sidewalks, and parking lots adjacent to campus.
Main Street Campus (South Campus)
Includes Buffalo streets that border the campus: Main Street to Bailey Avenue to Winspear Avenue back to Main Street.
Amherst Campus (North Campus)
Includes Town of Amherst roadways that border the campus: Millersport Highway to Maple Road to Sweet Home Road to Ellicott Creek bike path back to Millersport Highway.
Campus Security Authority Training
This CSA training program for is designed for all Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) who do not work for the campus law enforcement, public safety or security department. This program contains information about the following topics:
- Who are campus security authorities and what are their reporting obligations?
- Who is included and exempt from the reporting?
- Geographic locations — understanding the geography for which criminal offenses need to be collected.
- Classification and definition of crimes
- Issues for CSA's regarding arrests and judicial referrals for drug, liquor and weapons violations
- Timely warning, daily log and annual disclosure requirements.
- Reporting emergencies, fires and missing persons.
This online course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
