Welcome to The Office of Student Engagement's Advisor Newsletter! This newsletter was created to be a resource for our organizations' advisors to ensure you are adequately prepared and supported as an advisor. This newsletter will provide monthly updates, tips, and events catered to advisors.

This month will focus on advising tips. Our office crafted a list of tips that will assist you throughout the year while supporting your organization(s):

1. Become versed in RamConnect 

   RamConnect is a great hub to see what is going on in an organization, from number of members, to who the officers are, to what events are coming up.  
   
   Being well versed in RamConnect also allows an advisor to help their club in utilizing the platform to best suit the organization's needs! 

2. Have regular meetings with officers and members 
   Forming a relationship with the officers and members of a club will help in communication and understanding on both the side of the club; advisor and the students!  
   
   Through understanding the members and officers, the purpose and direction of the club can be better understood, which will help in assisting the students. 

3. Discuss expectations with officers 
   Have a conversation with the executive officers of the organization to set expectations, both of the officers and the club, as well as expectations for the advisor. 
   
   Setting clear expectations will allow for better communication and collaboration between officers and the advisor, leading to less confusion about roles and responsibilities.  

4. Utilize Office of Student Engagement resources 
   The Office of Student Engagement has many resources for students and advisors alike, all of which can prove helpful resources, especially in times of uncertainty. 
   
   Many resources are available on the Office of Student Engagement website, as well as the new Advisor Newsletter!  

5. Remain up to date with university and department policies and procedures 
   Keeping up to date with any relevant policies and procedures will help in decision-making and conflict resolution.  

Campus Security Authority training will be assigned to recognized student organization advisors no later than Friday, October 17, 2025. If you are an advisor who was already assigned training based upon your other position at West Chester University then you do not need to complete the Campus Security Authority training for advisors; your training requirement is met through that other CSA training.

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are individuals and organizations at the University who, because of the function of their position within the University, have an obligation under the Clery Act to notify the University of alleged Clery Act Crimes reported to them in good faith, or Clery Act Crimes they may personally witness.

• Although every institution wants its campus community to report criminal incidents to law enforcement,  WCU knows this is not always the case. A student or employee who is a victim of a crime may report it to someone other than the campus police.
• Under the Clery Act, a crime is “reported” when it is brought to the attention of a campus security authority, the institution’s police department or campus safety office, or local law enforcement personnel by a victim, witness, third party, or even the offender.
• Crimes reported by CSAs can be and sometimes are evaluated for the issuance of a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification.

WHO IS A CSA? 

The Department of Public Safety determines who is and who is not a CSA based upon the definitions below and the functions of a position on campus, not position title. Individuals typically fall under one of the following categories:

1. A member of a campus police/security department. Example: University Police and Police Safety
2. Individuals responsible for campus security in some capacity but not members of a campus police/security department. Example: an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance to University property.
3. People or offices that are not members of a campus police/security department but are identified in policy as individuals to which students and employees can report criminal offenses to them or their office.  Examples of such places at WCU are: The Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance (ODEI), Human Resources, Residence Life and Housing, and the Office of Student Conduct.
4. An official of an institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including but not limited to, student housing, student discipline, and campus judicial proceedings.  Other examples of Campus Security Authorities at WCU are Athletic administrators, coaches, athletic trainers, summer sports camp staff, faculty advisors to student organizations, Resident Assistants, and Directors of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

An official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the institution.

WHO IS NOT A CSA?

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

  • Pastoral counselor: An individual who is associated with a religious order or denomination, is recognized by that religious order or denomination as someone who provides confidential counseling, and is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor.
  • Professional counselor: An individual whose official responsibilities include providing mental health counseling to members of the institution's community and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification. This definition also applies to professional counselors who are not employees of the institution but are under contract to provide counseling at the institution.
• Individuals who do not have significant responsibility for student and campus activities are not CSAs. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, faculty members not responsible for student and campus activities beyond the classroom, and clerical or cafeteria staff. Maintenance and custodial workers are generally not considered Campus Security Authorities.

CSA REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

If a Campus Security Authority receives information of an alleged Clery Act crime or personally witnesses an alleged Clery Act Crime they should report the crime directly to the University Police by calling 911 or 610-436-3311.

It is NOT the role of the CSA to investigate the allegation to determine whether the crime occurred and/or confront or apprehend the alleged perpetrator of the crime. That is the role of law enforcement.  Neither is it the CSA’s responsibility to try and convince a victim to contact law enforcement if the victim chooses not to do so.

Your most important role as a CSA is to report all the information you witness or the reporting party provides to you.

If you have questions regarding whether you are or are not a CSA, please contact the Clery Compliance Officer at 610-436-3512 or clery@wcupa.edu.

DON'T DOUBT, WRITE IT OUT!!