Any crime reported to a University official must be reported to the Dean of Students to comply with federal law.
Wellness Education Coordinator Kim Munro said the report can remain anonymous if the student chooses, but information such as the number of assailants, whether the victim knew the assailant and demographic data is given.
This crime statistics report complies with the Clery Act, federal laws mandating colleges and universities to disclose “certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies.”
The act includes compiling crime statistics for crimes that occur on campus within the patrolled jurisdiction of campus police and “unobstructed public areas immediately adjacent to or running through the campus” and facilities, such as Greek housing and remote classrooms.
The LSU crime report located at http://appl003.lsu.edu/pubsafety/lsupolice.nsf/index in the Crime Info section gives LSU crime statistics that cover the past four years.
According to LSUPD crime statistics, one sexual assault was reported; none were reported in 2001.
LSUPD Capt. Mark Shaw said LSUPD gathers crime information from the Dean of Students annually to add to the crime statistics from the Department to make more accurate overall statistics. Shaw said the information the Dean of Students sends to LSUPD is simply a number to add to its crime statistics, not any information such as the student’s name.
Shaw said officials, such as Residential Life administrators and workers at the Student Health Center, are obligated to report crimes to the Dean of Students so they can assist students. For instance, if the student needs to take time off from classes, he will not be penalized if an official OK is granted from the Dean of Students.
Munro said many students who have been sexually assaulted do not wish to contact the police but do seek help through the Student Health Center or the Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Program. Because of many students’ unwillingness to report sexual assault crimes to the police, Munro said the statistics for sexual assaults are not as accurate as for other crimes.