Employee crime reporting

The purpose of this Policy is to comply with Jeanne Clery Act and Title IX by identifying those University employees required to report applicable criminal incidents to Campus Safety and/or the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators.

There are three federal laws that establish responsibilities for employees of colleges and universities to report certain types of crimes and incidents-- the Clery Act, Title IX, and Title VII. Pursuant to these laws, certain employees at Lynn University are required to report applicable criminal incidents to Campus Safety and/or the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators.

It is therefore the policy of the University to define all employees with supervisory or leadership responsibilities or responsibilities related to student welfare as mandatory reporters. If a mandatory reporter learns about sexual harassment, discrimination, sexual violence or other forms of sexual misconduct (i.e., Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Exploitation, and Stalking), they are expected to promptly contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator or one of the Title IX Deputy Coordinators. The Title IX Coordinator or the Title IX Deputy Coordinator will take responsibility for promptly notifying Campus Safety and other appropriate University officials. Other serious crimes covered by the Clery Act must be reported to Campus Safety as well. All concerning and disruptive student behaviors must be reported to Student Affairs. Concerning and disruptive employee, volunteer, and third party behaviors must be reported to Employee Services. All emergencies should be reported to the Campus Safety. In addition, University policy and Florida law mandates that all individuals report incidents of child abuse and neglect to the Florida Department of Children and Family Services: reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us, call toll-free 1-800-962-2873 (TTY: 1-800-955-8771), or report by fax to 1-866-886-4342.

Campus Security Authority (CSA)—a University employee that has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, and as such is trained by the University to report certain crimes occurring on campus or at a University sanctioned event to Campus Safety for inclusion in the University’s Annual Security and Fire Report.

Responsible Employee—a University employee that has the authority to take action to redress the harassment, has the duty to report other harassment or misconduct to appropriate officials, or is someone a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility.

The procedures below identify which employees are obligated to make a mandatory report to the appropriate University authority (and law enforcement if applicable) and what types of crimes or
incidents must be reported.

All other members of the University community are strongly encouraged to report concerning behaviors, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and crimes to Campus Safety.

I. Clery Crime Reporting

The Clery Act recognizes certain University officials and offices as “Campus Security Authorities” and members of the University community may report any crime or emergency occurring on campus or at a University-sanctioned event to them. At Lynn University, “Campus Security Authorities,” as defined by the Clery Act, include all Campus Safety staff; Deans (or other senior student administrative personnel); Coaches; Directors, Vice Presidents, Coordinator of The Women’s Center, Dean of Students, Director of Auxiliary Services, Center for Student Involvement staff, Housing and residence hall staff; faculty advisers, overseers and advisors to student clubs and organizations; and other campus officials who have “significant responsibility for student and campus activities,” such as, but not limited to, the Department of Student Affairs. Others designated as campus security authorities include all advisors to student groups, clubs and organizations; and all non-counselors (staff mentors and peer mentors). CSAs must promptly share information about Clery crimes reported to them with Campus Safety. Health Services and Counseling Center professionals are exempt from the reporting requirement while working within the scope of a license or certification.

Each of these individuals is required and trained to report incidents of a Clery Act crime occurring on campus or at a University-sanctioned event to the Office of Student Affairs for inclusion in the University’s Annual Security and Fire Report prepared for the U.S. Department of Education.

II. Title IX Reporting

Pursuant to Title IX certain employees known as Responsible Employees who knew or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known about sexual or gender-based harassment that creates a hostile environment are required to report this information to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The following positions have been designated by the University to be “Responsible Employees”: The President; the Vice Presidents; Deans; the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinators; all Student Affairs staff, including resident assistants and professional residence life staff; all Athletic Department Staff, including coaches; and all Campus Safety officers. In addition, faculty and staff are required to report Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct offenses to the Title IX Coordinator.

The University requires that all Responsible Employees immediately report to the Title IX Coordinator all relevant details about the alleged incident that the University will need to determine what happened – including the names of the Reported Victim and Respondent, any witnesses, and any other relevant facts, including the date, time and specific location of the alleged incident. To the extent possible, information reported to a Responsible Employee will be shared only with people responsible for handling the University’s response to the report. A Responsible Employee will not share information with law enforcement without the reported victim’s consent or unless the reported victim has also reported the incident to law enforcement.

III. Emergency/Disaster Situations

Certain employees are expected to assist the University during emergency/disaster situations as a condition of employment. When an emergency/disaster occurs, the President or designee will make an announcement concerning the securing of University offices and property. All or some employees may be required to report to work to secure their personal work areas. Employees who are not required to report to work during an emergency/disaster must leave the University and not report to work until further notice. Employees providing essential services are required to assist in planning, managing, and performing campus-wide activities to prepare for emergency/disaster situations.

Supervisors have responsibility to schedule adequate staffing before, during, and after an emergency/disaster period.

Supervisors will advise essential employees who are expected to report to work during an emergency/disaster period.

To learn more about this policy or the supporting procedures, please contact Campus Safety