Campus Safety Assessment (BRICK & MORTAR INSTITUTIONS)

The Campus Safety Assessment (CSA) is a standard used by the Global Education Accrediting Commission (GEAC) to evaluate an institution's safety policies and procedures. This overview will be divided into several sections to provide a detailed understanding of the CSA.

I. Purpose of the CSA
The primary purpose of the CSA is to ensure that an institution provides a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The CSA assesses the safety policies and procedures of an institution to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that the institution is prepared to respond effectively in the event of an emergency or crisis.

II. Components of the CSA
The CSA has several components that assess different aspects of an institution's safety policies and procedures, including:

A. Emergency Response Plan
The CSA assesses an institution's emergency response plan to ensure that it is comprehensive, up-to-date, and practiced regularly. This includes evaluating the institution's approach to handling emergencies such as natural disasters, medical emergencies, and acts of violence.

B. Safety and Security Measures
The CSA evaluates the safety and security measures in place at an institution, including the use of security personnel, security cameras, lighting, and access controls. The assessment also considers the institution's policies on reporting and responding to safety concerns, as well as its communication strategies for emergency notifications.

C. Prevention Programs
The CSA assesses the institution's prevention programs designed to promote safety and prevent incidents from occurring. These programs may include training programs for faculty, staff, and students on topics such as sexual assault prevention, mental health awareness, and substance abuse prevention.

III. Process of the CSA
The CSA process involves several steps, including:

A. Self-Evaluation
Institutions seeking accreditation must first conduct a self-evaluation of their safety policies and procedures, including their emergency response plan, safety and security measures, and prevention programs. This self-evaluation is used to identify any areas of weakness or opportunities for improvement.

B. External Review
After the self-evaluation, an external team of evaluators visits the institution to conduct an evaluation of the institution's safety policies and procedures. This evaluation includes interviews with faculty, staff, and students, a review of relevant documents, and a site visit to assess the institution's physical facilities.

C. Report and Recommendations
The external team of evaluators prepares a report detailing their findings and recommendations regarding the institution's safety policies and procedures. This report is submitted to the GEAC committee for review and a final decision.

IV. Benefits of the CSA
The CSA provides several benefits for institutions seeking accreditation, including:

A. Improved Safety and Security
The CSA helps institutions improve the safety and security of their campus environment, ensuring that students, faculty, staff, and visitors feel safe and secure while on campus.

B. Compliance with Regulations
The CSA ensures that institutions are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations regarding campus safety, reducing the risk of legal liability for the institution.

C. Ongoing Improvement
The CSA requires institutions to engage in ongoing evaluation and improvement of their safety policies and procedures, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and effective in response to changing threats and hazards.