Campus Security Authorities

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs)

Although every college wants members of its campus community to report crimes to its campus police or public safety department, we know that this does not always happen. Someone who experiences or learns about a crime may instead turn to a coach, advisor, administrator, or another person they know and trust for assistance or guidance. For this reason, the Clery Act requires colleges and universities to collect certain crime reports from individuals and organizations known as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs).

Because of their responsibilities at the College, CSAs may receive information about a crime or potential crime that might not otherwise be reported. Their role is to listen, provide appropriate guidance, and report the information to NECC Public Safety. They do not investigate incidents or determine whether a crime occurred.

If You Were Assigned This Training

If NECC directed you to this training, you have already been identified as a Campus Security Authority. That designation is based on your position and responsibilities at the College, so you do not need to decide for yourself whether you qualify.

This designation does not mean you are part of Public Safety or that handling crime reports is part of your everyday job. The training on this page will walk you through your role, including what information should be reported, how to respond when someone comes to you, and how to make a report.

Why is this Important? 

When someone shares information about a crime, the report is more than a statistic. It may involve one of our students, colleagues, friends, or members of the community. Making sure that information reaches NECC Public Safety helps the College respond to concerns, identify potential safety issues, and provide accurate information about crime on and around our campuses.

Clery compliance is an institutional responsibility, and your role is an important part of that process. The information you report helps NECC meet its federal obligations while supporting a safe and caring campus community.

The Role of a CSA

When a crime or potential crime is reported to a CSA, their role is to receive the information, respond appropriately, and report it to NECC Public Safety. They do not investigate incidents, determine whether a crime occurred, or decide whether an incident meets a Clery Act definition.

Receive

Listen to the information the person chooses to share. Basic information needed to make a report may be requested, but the purpose is not to investigate the incident or determine whether the person’s account is accurate.

Respond

Consider whether anyone needs immediate assistance. If there is an emergency, a crime in progress, or an immediate threat to someone’s safety, contact 911 or NECC Public Safety at 978-556-3333 (ext. 3333 from a campus phone).

Otherwise, provide appropriate guidance and explain that information about a crime or potential crime may need to be reported to NECC Public Safety.

Report

Report the information to NECC Public Safety as soon as possible, including the information that was shared and the location of the incident, if known. Acting quickly is important because NECC Public Safety may need to issue a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification to the campus community.

There is no need to determine whether the incident is a Clery Act crime, whether it occurred within NECC’s Clery geography, or whether a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification is needed. NECC Public Safety makes those determinations.

Campus Security Authority Training Video

The following 15-minute video from the Clery Center provides an overview of the Clery Act, the story of Jeanne Clery, and the role of Campus Security Authorities on college campuses. Please watch the video and then complete the brief quiz located below it to review what you have learned.

If NECC directed you to this training, you have already been identified as a Campus Security Authority. When the quiz asks whether you are a CSA, answer “Yes” and continue. After completing the quiz, continue below for additional NECC-specific guidance.

Video password: csatraining

Campus Security Authority Quiz

After watching the video, complete the brief quiz below to review what you have learned.

After completing the quiz, scroll back up to find the link to download your certificate. Enter your name and the date of completion in the fields provided, save the completed certificate, and email it to ttrask@necc.mass.edu.

What Should be Reported? 

CSAs do not need to determine whether an incident meets a specific Clery Act crime definition before reporting it. If someone shares information about a crime or potential crime, report what you know to NECC Public Safety and include where the incident occurred, if known.

Reportable Crimes

The Clery Act identifies specific categories of crimes that colleges and universities must track and report. CSAs do not need to memorize crime definitions or determine how an incident should be classified. The categories below are provided to help recognize the types of incidents that should be reported.

If you learn about a crime or potential crime, report it to NECC Public Safety.

Primary Crimes

Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter, Negligent Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Arson, Burglary, Robbery, Motor Vehicle Theft.

Sex Offenses

Rape, Fondling, Incest, Statutory Rape.

Arrests and Disciplinary Referrals

The Clery Act requires colleges to report certain arrests and disciplinary referrals involving Liquor Law Violations, Drug Law Violations, Illegal Weapons Possession.

Hate Crimes 

A crime may also be reportable as a Hate Crime when there is evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of actual or perceived bias. CSAs do not need to determine whether an incident is a Hate Crime. Report any information suggesting that bias may have been a factor. The Clery Act recognizes the following bias categories: Race, Religion, Gender, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Ethnicity, National Origin, Disability

In addition to the Primary Crimes and Sex Offenses listed above, the following offenses are reportable when motivated by bias: Larceny-Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, Destruction, Damage, or Vandalism of Property.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Crimes

This federal law provides protections for people affected by sexual and relationship violence. The Clery Act requires colleges to report three VAWA crime categories: Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking.

Hazing

Hazing is a new Clery Act reporting category under the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. Because this requirement is new, it is important to recognize that it can take many forms and may not always look like what people traditionally expect. It may involve activities connected to initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a student organization that cause or create a risk of physical or psychological harm. Examples may include:

• Forced or excessive alcohol or drug use
• Harmful or excessive physical activity
• Sleep deprivation
• Isolation
• Threats or intimidation
• Humiliating or degrading activities
• Other harmful or dangerous conduct

It is not limited to athletics or sports teams and can occur in connection with any student organization, club, team, group, or other student-affiliated activity. It can occur regardless of whether the person is willing to participate. If you learn about conduct that may involve hazing, report the information to NECC Public Safety. For more information, including NECC’s policies and prevention efforts, visit the Stop Campus Hazing Act webpage.

Confidential Crime Reporting through CSAs

A person may choose to speak with a CSA because they trust them but may not be comfortable making a report directly to NECC Public Safety or having their identity shared. A request for confidentiality does not mean the incident goes unreported.

If a victim of a crime wishes to remain anonymous, the CSA is not required to disclose information that would identify them. The CSA must still report the incident to NECC Public Safety, provide the information known about what occurred, and explain that the victim requested confidentiality. This allows the College to receive information about the incident while protecting the victim’s identity.

The College urges all community members to report any criminal incident to NECC Public Safety. If someone chooses not to report directly to Public Safety, they may instead share the information with a CSA. The incident must still be reported, but the victim’s request to remain anonymous can be respected. This also helps ensure that crimes are included in the College’s Annual Security Report when appropriate.

Submit Your Report Online

Campus Security Authorities can report a crime or potential crime to NECC Public Safety using the Campus Security Authority Crime Report below. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible after the information is received. If you have questions or need assistance completing the form, contact the NECC Clery Coordinator at 978-556-3694 or ttrask@necc.mass.edu.

If there is an emergency, a crime in progress, or an immediate threat to someone’s safety, do not use this form. Call 911 or NECC Public Safety at 978-556-3333 (ext. 3333 from a campus phone).