Training is available now for staff identified as Campus Security Authorities; faculty and student training is coming soon.
You’ve heard it before from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department (UMBPD): “Safety is a community effort.” But for many members of the UMB community, there is also a federal legal requirement for when and how crimes must be reported for the safety of our community.
A 30-minute online training is offered through UMB’s learning management system, Percipio, for UMB staff identified as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs). Training for faculty and student CSAs will be coming soon.
What is a Campus Security Authority?
In a nutshell, CSAs help ensure our community is aware of crimes impacting UMB, compassionately responds to reports of crimes, and takes steps to prevent similar crimes from happening in the future.
CSAs are a critical part of UMB’s compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, a federal law known as the Clery Act. The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to provide transparent information about crime policies and statistics that occur on or near campus. You can learn more about the Clery Act here.
How can CSAs help keep UMB safe?
CSAs use the Clery Incident Report Form to disclose crimes reported to them; in an emergency, CSAs should always call 911. This reporting ensures accurate crime statistics, crime awareness, and campus safety. UMBPD uses these reports and data-driven strategies to deploy police and security officers to areas of concern, which increases visibility and deters crime. CSA reports are used to increase public safety, not to identify the victim if the victim wishes to remain anonymous.
How do I know if I’m a CSA?
CSAs include:
- Officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.
- A University police or security department.
- Individuals who have responsibility for campus security.
- Individuals or offices designated to receive crime reports.
Certain individuals, specifically pastoral and professional counselors, are exempted from the requirement to report certain crimes. However, the counselor must be acting in their official role when the offense is disclosed for it to be exempted.
If your role at UMB fits into these categories, you might be a CSA! You will receive an email from the University of Maryland, Baltimore via the email skillsoftcompliance.noreply@skillsoft.com if you have been identified as a CSA.
OK, I’m a CSA. Now what?
UMB staff members who are identified as a CSA will receive a training link from the University of Maryland, Baltimore via the email skillsoftcompliance.noreply@skillsoft.com beginning April 11. You may take this training at a time that is convenient to you, on or before May 12.
Training for faculty and student CSAs is coming soon — stay tuned for more information.
Thank you for all you to do ensure a safe UMB!