The U.S. Department of Education has imposed a $14 million fine on a Christian-based university for its failure to disclose information pertinent to sexual assault survivors and crime. The department has stated that this is the most significant violation of the Clery Act, legislation mandating that institutions of higher education publicize issues related to public safety.
According to an Department of Education news release, Liberty University has consented to pay the fine and committed an additional $2 million towards enhancing campus safety and other related initiatives. An independent accounting firm will supervise the implementation of these measures. Furthermore, should any further violations of the Clery Act be detected by the Department of Education, all federal student aid programs at the institution will be suspended. The department plans to monitor the university post-review until April 2026.
Federal Student Aid (FSA) Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray stated, "Students, faculty, and staff deserve to know that they can be safe and secure in their school communities. We respond aggressively to complaints about campus safety and security." He added that through the Clery Act, schools are obligated to create safe campus communities, investigate complaints, and responsibly disclose information about crimes and other safety concerns. "We will continue to hold schools accountable if they fail to do so," Cordray said.
In February 2022, Liberty University was notified by the department that it had initiated a review of the school's compliance with the Clery Act, as per the news release. This investigation was triggered when indications emerged suggesting potential major violations of the Clery Act at Liberty University. In May of 2023, FSA’s Clery Group disclosed that they found evidence indicating non-compliance with the act by the university and subsequently charged it with 11 violations related to this legislation this week.
The news release also reported that Liberty University was found guilty of failing to maintain an accurate daily crime log, not complying with Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) requirements, and neglecting to issue timely warnings in line with federal regulations, among other violations. School officials acknowledged these findings and pledged to rectify them, a commitment that the Department of Education factored into the settlement decision.
