MINNEAPOLIS — Observers say a rise in reports of sexual assaults on Minnesota college campuses is, in part, the result of improvements in how police and the schools handle the crimes.

The University of Minnesota reported 31 percent more sexual assaults in 2012 than it did in 2008. Data supplied by the federal Clery Act, which requires campuses to disclose crime statistics, shows the number of reported sexual offenses rose from 115 in 2008 to 141 in 2012 across Minnesota.

Katie Eichele is director of the university’s Aurora Center, which offers support to sexual assault victims. Eichele said that many campus sexual assaults go unreported because the victim often knows the attacker.

University regents will vote this week on a $4 million proposal to add more lighting and security cameras and pay more overtime for campus police officers.