Liberty University receives $14 million fine for campus safety infractions

CNN
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The Department of Education recently imposed a hefty $14 million fine on Liberty University, a prominent Christian college in Virginia, citing violations of a campus safety law.

This fine marks the largest ever imposed for breaching the Clery Act, which mandates colleges to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information.

In addition to the fine, Liberty University has committed to investing an extra $2 million towards enhancing on-campus safety measures over the next two years.

The review by the Department of Education was prompted by complaints regarding alleged violations of the Clery Act. The investigation followed a lawsuit in 2021, where 12 women accused the university of fostering an environment conducive to sexual assault and rape, a case that was settled in 2022.

The Clery Act review identified 11 violations, including failure to maintain an accurate crime log, issue timely crime warnings, and comply with sexual violence prevention requirements.

Federal Student Aid’s chief operating officer, Richard Cordray, emphasized the obligation of schools under the Clery Act to promote safe campus communities and provide transparent crime-related information.

The Clery Act, enacted in 1990 following the tragic incident of Jeanne Clery’s rape and murder at Lehigh University, aims to ensure campus safety through the disclosure of crime information.

Notably, in 2019, Michigan State University faced a $4.5 million fine under the Clery Act in connection with the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal.

Despite the violations, Liberty University promptly acknowledged the issues outlined in the report and committed to rectifying them.

While agreeing with the Department of Education’s findings, Liberty University expressed discontent with the review process, alleging unfair treatment compared to other institutions.

Founded in 1971 by televangelist Jerry Falwell, Liberty University strives to provide a Christian education for evangelical believers.

This story has been updated with additional information.