View a video presentation about basic crime reporting for CSAs:
Boston University encourages the entire community to immediately report crimes and other emergency situations to the Boston University Police Department to help maintain the safest possible environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Pursuant to a federal law known as the Clery Act, the University is required to compile and publish crime statistics in an Annual Security Report. As part of that obligation, members of the University’s community who are considered to be Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are required to report crime statistics for inclusion in the University’s Report. The law defines “Campus Security Authority” as “An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline, and campus judicial proceedings.” CSAs include, but are not limited to, faculty advisors to student organizations, police and security departments, personnel in the Dean of Students office, the Residence Life office, Housing office, the University Service Center, the Equal Opportunity Office, and other officials who have a significant responsibility for student and campus activities.
In addition to reporting crime statistics, the University also has a responsibility to notify the campus community about any crimes that pose an ongoing threat to the community. Even if you are not sure whether an ongoing threat exists, immediately contact the University Police Department.
Because of the Clery Act’s complex crime reporting requirements, it is imperative that we maintain an effective way to manage the reporting. As a result, the University requires CSAs to notify the Boston University Police Department about crime information as soon as they become aware of it by completing this Incident Report form. Please note – if the Boston University Police respond to the scene, your reporting requirement is met and you are not required to complete the form.
CSAs should not investigate crimes or attempt to determine whether a crime occurred. Rather, a CSA’s obligation is to simply report the information as soon as possible.
The University is required to disclose statistics for the following offenses that occur on campus, in or on noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University, and public property within or immediately adjacent to our campus:
- Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
- Negligent manslaughter
- Forcible sex offenses
- Non-forcible sex offenses
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Stalking
- Domestic violence
- Dating violence
- Hate crime – any crime in which the victim was selected because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, or disability
- All liquor, drug, or weapons law violations resulting in an arrest or disciplinary referral
- Arson
If the Boston University Police are called to the scene, the reporting requirement is met and no additional reporting action is necessary.
If you are in doubt as to whether a crime is reportable, please err on the side of reporting the matter. With the exception of liquor, drug, and weapons law violations, it is immaterial whether an arrest (or disciplinary referral) is made.
If you have any questions, please contact the Boston University Police at 617-353-5362 or bupolice@bu.edu