Campus Security Authorities

CAMPUS SECURITY AUTHORITIES

A Campus Security Authority (CSA) is an individual, who by virtue of their university responsibilities and under the Clery Act, is designated to receive and report criminal incidents to the Office of Campus Safety and Security so that they may be included and published in the university’s Annual Security Report.  They have completed training on appropriately handling reporting crimes, victim relations and support, and related school policies.

Who They Are:

Campus Safety and Security officers are CSAs, but other Coker University employees are also designated as CSAs.

The Clery Act defines a CSA as any of the following categories:

1. A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution, e.g. any member of Coker’s Office of Campus Safety and Security.
2. Any individuals who have responsibility for campus security but are not members of a campus police department or a campus security department (e.g., an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance into institutional property, such as a security guard).
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 offense; or
4. An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings.

However, Coker University to better serve our student community has designated all university employees as CSAs, with a few exceptions:

1. Contractual dining/food service employees
2. Contractual facilities employees
3. Campus health physicians or nurses whose only responsibility is to provide care to students
4. Exempt and confidential resources including;
   1. Professional, licensed mental health counselors
   2. Pastoral counselor recognized by a religious organization to provide confidential counseling

What They Do:

A CSA must notify the Director of Campus Safety and Security of crimes or criminal incidents that are reported to him or her. They disclose statistics that fall under the Clery Act’s list of reportable crimes and occur within Clery geography.

Clery reportable crimes are:

• Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
• Negligent manslaughter
• Forcible sex offenses
• Non-forcible sex offenses
• Robbery
• Aggravated assault
• Burglary
• Motor vehicle theft
• Arson
• Hate Crimes including Larceny-Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, Destruction/Damage/Vandalism and all Criminal Offenses (when motivated by offender’s bias)
• All liquor, drug or weapons law violations resulting in an arrest
• Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking

Clery Crime Definitions can be found HERE

Clery geography includes:

• everywhere on our campuses (residences, offices, walkways, etc.)
• property off campus owned by Coker University (such as Kalmia Gardens and the boathouse)
• property off campus used/controlled by Coker University (Byerly Park-athletic practices)
• sidewalks and streets immediately adjacent to the Coker University campus

If a CSA is notified of a crime in progress or an ongoing threat to the Coker campus community, they will contact the Office of Campus Safety and Security or 911 for assistance.

Confidential Crime Reporting through CSAs

Occasionally, a person may want to seek assistance anonymously. For example, if you are a victim of sexual assault and wish to seek help, medical or otherwise, without contact with law enforcement, you can confidentially report the incident to a designated CSA. Your CSA can provide you with information and resources and serve as your agent to obtain the support you need without filing a police report.

Training for CSAs

Annual training will be provided for all CSAs on campus and presented virtually. Additional questions regarding CSA responsibilities and/or for filing a report can be directed to the Director of Campus Safety and Security.