Campus Security Authorities

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE CAMPUS SECURITY AUTHORITY TRAINING.  

At Gonzaga University, we believe that the safety and security of our community is a collective responsibility. Students, staff and faculty members must work together to ensure that Gonzaga remains a safe and caring environment in which students can reach their full potential. 

The Clery Act, a federal law, requires that Gonzaga collects crime statistics and publishes them in an annual security report. The most recent edition of this report can be found here. As part of Clery Act compliance, Gonzaga is required to recognize members of our community as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs). These individuals have a federally mandated responsibility to report any alleged Clery Act crimes that they witnessed or have been reported to them.

What is a CSA? 

A CSA is any member of the Gonzaga community who meets any of the four categories defined by The Clery Act:

  1. A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution
  2. Any individual or individuals who have responsibility for campus security but who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department. This includes but is not limited to: 
    • Student or staff employees whose responsibility includes monitoring the entrance to a campus building (eg. Rudolf, Foley, Hemmingson Center)
    • Special event or sporting event security personnel 
  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 offenses. This includes but is not limited to: 
    • Resident Assistants 
    • Residence Directors
  4. An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. This includes but is not limited to: 
    • Office of Community Standards staff
    • Center for Cura Personalis staff
    • Student Involvement and Leadership staff
    • Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Engagement staff
    • Career and Professional Development staff
    • Center for Community Engagement staff
    • First Year Experience Staff
    • Athletics and Intramurals staff (including coaches) 
    • Study abroad staff
    • University ministry staff (non-pastoral)
    • Student club/organization advisors (may be faculty) 
    • Orientation small group leaders, Bridge mentors, Gonzaga Outdoors guides, etc.

It is important to note that CSAs are community members who are non-clinical, non-clerical and non-pastoral. Pastoral counselors and licensed/certified professional counselors are exempt from reporting in order to ensure that these individuals can provide appropriate counseling services without an obligation to report crimes they may learn about. Examples of individuals who would not meet the criteria for being a CSA include: 

  1. Faculty with no responsibilities outside the classroom
  2. Clerical staff with minimal student interaction or minimal involvement in campus activities
  3. Cafeteria and maintenance staff 

If you have been requested to complete CSA training, it is because you hold a position at the university that meets one of the categories above. Training is mandatory and must be completed by all CSAs in order to be compliant with federal law. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the criteria for being a CSA or have any other questions regarding training, please contact Gonzaga’s Director of Administration, Compliance & Special Projects/Clery Compliance Officer, Taylor Jordan at jordant@gonzaga.edu.

What is my role as a CSA? 

Campus Security Authorities are required to report Clery-specific crimes that they have witnessed or have been directly reported to them by another person. They are required to report a crime only if the crime occurred on campus, in a Gonzaga owned building, or on public property adjacent to campus. For a full explanation of reportable geography, please refer to the Clery Geography page. However, we encourage that you report all crimes regardless of location. Campus Security Authorities are not responsible for determining authoritatively whether a crime took place or apprehending alleged perpetrators. Clery-specific crimes are listed and defined in the table below: 

Crime Definition 
Criminal Homicide  The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another or the killing of another person through gross negligence
Rape  The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus, with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim
Fondling  The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity
Incest  Sexual intercourse between two persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law
Statutory Rape  Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent (16 years old in Washington state)
Robbery  The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear
Aggravated Assault  An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm
Burglary  The unlawful entry of a non-vehicular structure to commit a felony or theft
Motor Vehicle Theft  The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle
Arson  Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.
Hate Crimes  A criminal offense that manifests evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator's bias against the victim
Domestic Violence  

A felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by:

  • A current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim
  • A person with whom the victim shares a child in common
  • A person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner
  • A person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred
  • Any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred
Dating Violence  Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim
Stalking  Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person's safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress
Liquor Law, Drug Law & Weapons Law Violations  Any violation of state law or Gonzaga policy regarding liquor and drug use or weapon possession 

How do I report a crime? 

Emergencies should first be reported to the Spokane Police Department by calling 911. After notifying law enforcement or after determining that the crime is not an emergency, report the crime to Campus Safety and Public Security at 509-313-2222. 

In most cases, it is possible for a CSA to fulfill their responsibilities while still maintaining victim confidentiality. A CSA report does not need to automatically result in the initiation of a police or disciplinary investigation if the victim does not want to pursue this action.

What is the difference between a CSA and a Responsible Employee? 

A Campus Security Authority is a mandatory reporting role associated with Clery Act compliance. The main responsibility of a CSA is to report Clery-specific crimes to Campus Security and Public Safety. The designation Responsible Employee is associated with Title IX compliance. The main responsibility of a Responsible Employee is to report Title IX violations and suspicions of child abuse/neglect by submitting an online report form or contacting a Title IX professional. If you are a CSA, you are likely also a Responsible Employee.

Where can I find more information about The Clery Act and my role as a CSA?