The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that it will fine Liberty University $14 million as part of a settlement with the school over various campus safety violations that violated federal law.
This is the largest fine ever imposed for violating the so-called Clery Act, which was signed into law in 1990 and imposes criminal subject matter requirements on universities with the aim of increasing accountability and transparency. .
In addition to the $14 million fine, Liberty agreed to spend $2 million “over the next two years to improve safety and compliance on campus,” according to the Department of Education.
The fine was imposed two years after the university was found to have violated the Clery Act and the department began an investigation. An investigation was launched following the complaint.
“Students, faculty, and staff have the right to know that they are safe in their school community. We respond proactively to complaints regarding campus safety and security,” said the department’s Office of Federal Student Aid chief executive. said Richard Cordray, executive director. “The Clery Act requires schools to take steps to create a safe and secure campus community, 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.”
Ministry of Education Said Liberty failed to: 1) “comply with numerous sexual violence prevention and response requirements” and 2) “require campus information regarding criminal conduct that may have posed a serious or continuing threat.” “Issuing timely warnings to inform the community,” and 3) resolving the problem.Emergency notification to notify the campus community of emergencies or hazardous conditions that may threaten health or safety. ”
At Liberty University, statement“We are steadfastly committed to complying with the Clery Act and ensuring the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff, without exception.”
“The department’s review of the Clery Act program spanned more than seven years, making it the most extensive review period ever for an institution of higher education in the department’s published review history,” the statement said. . “Many of the department’s methodologies, findings, and calculations in the report differed significantly from its historical treatment of other universities. Liberty disagrees with this unfair treatment. Nevertheless, the worked together to negotiate a final settlement and outline the terms of the department’s two-year follow-up monitoring process.
“…It’s a new day at Liberty University. We currently have a model Clery program in place to comply with many improvements to our campus that will benefit our students and staff for years to come. We will continue to work with the Department to prioritize student safety and advocate for Clery-compliant standards based on fair and consistent principles that apply equally to all universities without bias. I’ll go.”
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Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
