Campus Security Authority

Individuals whose job duties or functional roles fit the following definition and examples are Campus Security Authorities. 

• Officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities. Official means any person with the authority and duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of ISU. Examples include:
  
  • Student club or organization advisors
  • Individuals who accompany students on ISU-sponsored overnight trips
  • Administrators at additional locations or separate campuses
• Individuals with security-related responsibilities but are not Department of Public Safety employees. Includes those who may monitor access to University property. Examples include:
  • Employees at the front desk of the Campus Recreation Center or Early Learning Center
  • Temporary, outside security hired for athletic or other large events
• Any individual or organization specified by the University as a place where students or employees should report criminal offenses. Examples include:
  • Office of the Dean of Students
  • Title IX Coordinator
  • Office of Equity and Inclusion
  • Office of Human Resources
• All employees of the Department of Public Safety

For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Who is NOT a Campus Security Authority? 

Individuals employed by ISU that do not meet one of the positions or functions above. Examples include:

• Faculty members who do not have any additional responsibility for student and campus activity beyond the traditional classroom and instructional activities.
• Clerical or cafeteria staff. 

What if I don't want to be a Campus Security Authority? 

If your job function involves a significant responsibility for student and campus activities, you are a Campus Security Authority per federal law and must follow the requirements for Campus Security Authorities. 

Is there a comprehensive list of positions that qualify as a Campus Security Authority?

Not really. Higher Education Institutions are tasked with determining what positions are considered a Campus Security Authority using the federal definition. As a result, ISU's Clery Act Compliance Policy, ISUPP 1050, includes some positions determined to be Campus Security Authorities. This information is located in Section V, subsection B.

What are my responsibilities?

You are responsible for 

1. Completing mandatory annual training as provided by ISU 
2. Reporting criminal incidents that occur on property owned or controlled by ISU as soon as they are reported to you
3. Responding to the request for crime statistics each year

The CSA Obligations Flowchart is another way of describing a Campus Security Authority's responsibilities.

What crimes do I need to report? 

While the Clery Act lists specific crimes for the University to track and report annually, ISU has determined that Campus Security Authorities should report ANY and ALL alleged, actual, or potential crimes. 

If you are unsure whether an incident is a crime-report it! Remember: Campus Security Authorities are not responsible for determining whether a crime took place and may not seek to apprehend any perpetrator(s). 

When and how do I report a crime?

You should report a crime as soon as it is reported to you. If the situation requires immediate police, fire, or medical services, call 911 immediately and then call Public Safety at (208) 282-2515. If the situation is not an emergency, call Public Safety or fill out the online CSA Incident Reporting Form as soon as possible. You can also report a crime in person at the following locations: 

• Public Safety Building at 625 E Humbolt in Pocatello
• Room 102 of the Bennion Student Union at 1784 Science Center Drive in Idaho Falls
• Room 672 of the Meridian Health Science Center at 1311 E Central Drive in Meridian

It is important to forward the information to Public Safety as soon as possible so officials can determine if an alert should be issued to warn the campus community of a dangerous situation.

I think a crime was already reported to Public Safety and/or the police. Do I still need to report it?

Yes. Please complete the online CSA Incident Reporting Form, even if you believe the crime has already been reported.

If someone reports an incident to me in confidence, do I still have to report it?

Yes. Any criminal incident that occurs on University-owned or controlled property must be recorded on the Crime and Fire Log and reviewed for inclusion as a statistic in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. You can report "anonymously," i.e., without revealing the victim's identity, but you must still report the nature of the incident, the time it occurred, and the location to ensure accurate statistics.

Suppose you are a recognized pastoral or licensed/certified professional counselor functioning within that capacity at the University. In that case, you do not have to report crimes you become aware of under the Clery Act. However, if you have another role at ISU that qualifies as a Campus Security Authority position and your roles cannot be separated, you are considered a Campus Security Authority and obligated to report crimes of which you are aware.

How often will I need to go through training?

You will be required to attend training once each calendar year.

How do I get training on being a Campus Security Authority?

To acquaint and assist you with your duties, ISU has created an in-person training available via Zoom for all CSAs. Please get in touch with ISU's Clery Compliance Coordinator at clery@isu.edu or (208) 282-2850 for more information.