Report a possible Clery crime

If this is an emergency, dial 911. 

 

Understanding your role as a CSA

Under the federal Jeanne Clery Act, Montana State University must disclose statistics for certain crimes reported to law enforcement or to a University official designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The Office of Clery Compliance collects these reports and publishes them annually in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

What is a CSA?

A Campus Security Authority (CSA) is an individual or organization at Montana State University with specific responsibilities related to campus safety and crime reporting under the federal Clery Act.


Who Is a CSA?

Under the Clery Act, a Campus Security Authority includes:

  • A campus police department or campus security department
    Example: MSU Police Department.

  • Any individual who has responsibility for campus security but is not part of a campus police or security department
    Example: an individual responsible for monitoring access to MSU facilities or property.

  • Any individual or office identified in MSU’s campus security policies as a place where students or employees should report criminal offenses
    Example: Campus Civil Rights

  • An official of the University who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including but not limited to:

    • Deans
    • Student Affairs Professionals
    • Student Housing Staff
    • Athletic Director/Assistant Directors and Coaches
    • Student Activities Coordinators
    • Faculty/Staff Advisors to Student Organizations.

    Examples include athletic directors, coaches, residence life staff, and faculty or staff advisors to student organizations.

Individuals Typically Not Considered CSAs

  • When acting within the scope of the official responsibilities, Pastoral Counselors and Professional Counselors are not CSAs.  

  • Individuals who do not have significant responsibility for student and campus activities are not CSAs. Examples: faculty members not responsible for student and campus activities beyond the classroom, and clerical or cafeteria staff.

Reporting Responsibilities

If a Campus Security Authority receives information of alleged Clery Act crime and believes it was provided in good faith, or personally witnesses an alleged Clery Act Crime, they should report the crime directly to the University Police or via the MSU Clery Crime Statistic Report Form. 

Simply, if you see or hear about incidents that fall under these categories, please report them.

  • Assault or drugging
  • Stalking or threats
  • Burglary, theft or robbery
  • Discrimination or hate crimes
  • Hazing, even when consent was given

For more information, CSAs can refer to the MSU Clery Crime Statistic Report Form to assist in determining if the alleged crime is a Clery Act crime, as well as the definitions of Clery Act Crimes and Clery Act Geography Map (Clery Reportable Location), and Clery Geography Definitions.

Please note that it is NOT the role of the CSA to investigate the allegation in an attempt to determine whether the crime occurred and/or confront or apprehend the alleged perpetrator of the crime. That is the role of law enforcement. 

What do I tell a reporting party?

The following is a sample of what you can tell a reporting party who comes to you to report a crime:

“As part of my position on campus I am a federally mandated crime reporter for the University. I am required to report of this incident to Office of Clery Compliance for data gathering. If you request confidentiality, the Report Form will not include your name, or that of any other involved individuals. My report will contain only the information you provide. Do you have any questions? Would you like to help me fill it out?”

What is done with CSA Reports?

The University Clery Coordinator reviews CSA reports and determines whether it is a reportable crime in the Annual Security Report (ASR). These reports are also evaluated by the Clery Coordinator for timely warning and/or emergency notification consideration and basic facts are submitted to the Deputy Chief of Police, who then makes the determination if an incident warrants timely warning and/or emergency notification of the University community. The Clery Act Coordinator will consolidate crime data from multiple sources, report qualifying crime data to the federal Department of Education, publish campus ASRs and inform the campus community when and where ASRs are available.

Crime / Emergency and Non-Emergency Reporting

Regardless of your status (CSA or non-CSA), all community members are encouraged to promptly report all criminal incidents and other public safety related emergencies to police. For incidents requiring immediate attention, dial 911 or use any Blue Light Emergency Phone located throughout the campus. Non-emergency incidents can be reported by dialing 406-994-2121 from any phone or in person at the University Police Department, 7th Avenue and Kagy Boulevard.