Campus Safety Fall 2026

A Message from President Ellen J. Neufeldt

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at CSUSM? 

A: Since the start of fall semester, CSUSM has distributed five Clery Timely Warnings related to reports of sexual assault/sexual violence incidents that occurred in on-campus housing. These reported incidents occurred independently and are not related to each other. In the initial four cases, the individuals involved knew each other; the fifth case is in the early stages of investigation. Sexual assault is never acceptable and is never the survivor’s fault. Consent must be affirmative, voluntary and ongoing. It cannot be assumed because people know one another or have an existing relationship, and a person who is incapacitated cannot consent. 

We believe one incident of sexual violence is one too many, and it is important to our campus and our entire team that we continue to work toward making our campus safe, comfortable and welcoming to all.  

Q: Is there a serial attacker?  

A: No, the recent incidents occurred independently, involved people known to the victims and are not related. As law enforcement has conducted their investigations, individual suspects have been identified and the circumstances were determined to have taken place in private living spaces. 

Q: Why is more information not being provided in the crime alerts?  

A: Clery Timely Warnings are intended to provide the campus community with information that can help people make informed decisions about their safety while protecting the privacy of individuals and integrity of ongoing investigations. 

When a Timely Warning involves sexual assault, the university does not include the name or other personally identifiable information about the victim/survivor. The information included in a warning is based on the facts available to the university at the time the warning is issued. These early warnings are not followed by case updates as the investigation progresses. 

CSUSM takes every report of sexual violence seriously and responds when an incident is reported to the university. The university's response can include supporting the person who experienced harm, assessing immediate safety concerns, coordinating with law enforcement, initiating applicable university processes, and determining whether a Clery Timely Warning or other campus communication is warranted. 

Q: Why can’t you tell us if anyone has been arrested?  

A: Because the cases are still under investigation, we are limited in what we can share with publicly about individual suspects or the status of specific cases. We also have to respect the privacy of survivors, including respecting their wishes on what options they would like to pursue. 

We can share that University police investigators have been in direct contact with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. 

Q: What are the consequences for a student who commits sexual violence? 

A: Sexual violence is a serious violation of our community standards, as well as potentially a criminal offense, and there can be significant academic (such as expulsion), employment (such as termination), disciplinary and legal consequences (such as arrest and prosecution) for those found responsible.  

The specific consequences in any individual case depend on the facts, the investigative and adjudication processes, and applicable law and university policy. Because the current cases are ongoing and due to survivor privacy, we cannot speculate about or discuss potential outcomes. 

Q: What can you do to reach and educate potential perpetrators? 

A: Prevention education at CSUSM is not focused solely on asking students to protect themselves or intervene when they see something concerning. Our prevention and education efforts address the responsibility of every member of our community, including those who may cause harm. This includes education about consent and what it does and does not look like, healthy relationships, recognizing and challenging harmful behaviors, bystander intervention, alcohol and other factors that can affect decision-making, and the potential consequences of sexual violence. 

Q: What type of education are you giving students about sexual assaults and will it continue throughout the school year? 

A: All incoming students are required to complete mandatory online Title IX training. All first-year residential students are required to attend the in-person sexual violence and bystander training. In addition, all students and their families who attended orientation received education on sexual violence prevention and resources for support. Education and prevention continue throughout the academic year through programs such as bi-monthly alcohol education focused on safe decision-making, bystander intervention and harm reduction. Housing and Residential Education staff also receive training on their responsibilities as mandated reporters, including how to respond when a student discloses an incident of sexual violence. In addition, CSUSM has expanded prevention and support resources in housing, including a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and 24/7 on-call professional Community Director staff. 

Q: What additional safety and education measures is CSUSM implementing? 

A: The university has implemented additional safety and education measures, including: 

• Increased University Police patrols in and around all residential areas.
• Additional overnight security in residential areas. 
• Increased prevention and education for residential students, including information about consent, bystander intervention, safety planning, alcohol education and available resources.
  Full list of events
• 24-hour staffing at front desks in North Commons and Black Oak Hall, including guest registration. 
• Restricting exterior doors at North Commons and Black Oak Hall to exit-only, except at the main entrance. 
• Continuing community safety protocols including requiring access card or keys to the gates, building entrance, and apartment/bedroom doors. 

Q: How can I/my student reduce the risk of sexual assault? 

A: No one can guarantee that another person will not choose to commit sexual violence, and responsibility for sexual violence always rests with the person who causes harm. Prevention cannot rest solely on potential victims. 

Everyone can contribute to a safer community by: 

1. Educate yourself about sexual violence. See our “Get Educated” page for information  
2. Be an active bystander and practice situational awareness  
3. Speak out against sexual violence  
4. Hold perpetrators accountable   
5. Challenge sexist language 
6. Challenge traditional gender norms and sexual scripts  
7. Support survivors 
8. If you have participated in sexual violence, reach out for support 

Q: Are the residential areas patrolled? 

A: University Police has always conducted targeted foot patrols of housing and residential areas. Recently, they have increased the frequency of patrols of housing and residential areas to help ensure safety. 

Q: Has this happened before and why weren’t parents and students notified? 

A: Sexual violence is a concern on college campuses nationwide, including at CSUSM. The university communicates information about certain reported crimes through Clery Timely Warnings when the university determines that warning criteria are met. 

One incident is one too many, and our focus is on education and prevention, supporting those who experience harm and taking every step we can to strengthen the safety of our campus community. 

CSUSM's annual security reports provide additional information about reported Clery crimes and campus safety policies and procedures. 

Q: Is CSUSM an outlier or does CSUSM have more sexual assaults than other college campuses? 

A: Clery crime information is publicly available, and colleges and universities are required to report Clery-reportable crimes in their Annual Security Reports.
CSUSM's Clery Reports

Based on the most recent available Clery data, CSUSM's reported incidents are generally consistent with those reported by comparable institutions. However, comparisons between campuses can be difficult because reporting practices, campus size, residential populations and other factors vary. 

Regardless of how CSUSM compares with other institutions, every report of sexual violence is serious. One incident is one too many, and our focus is on prevention, supporting those who experience harm and taking every step we can to strengthen the safety of our campus community. 

Q: Where can parents and students go if they want more information? 

A: CSUSM maintains several resources for information, support and reporting: 

• Sexual Violence Advocacy & Education: Students and employees can speak confidentially with a campus advocate about sexual assault, rape, dating/domestic violence, stalking and related concerns. Call 760-750-4915 or email advocates@csusm.edu. 
• University Police: For emergencies, call 911 or University Police at 760-750-4567. Students can also contact University Police for safety planning and other campus safety concerns. 
• Title IX/DHR: Reports can be made to the Office for Title IX & DHR at nondiscrimination@csusm.edu or 760-750-6020, or through its online reporting form. 
• Center for Community Solutions: A 24/7 crisis line is available at 888-385-4657. 
• CSUSM Annual Security Reports: Information about Clery crime statistics, campus safety policies and reporting procedures is available through CSUSM's Annual Security Reports.