Liberty University Fined $14 Million for Clery Violations

Inside Higher Ed

Josh Moody

March 5, 2024

The Department of Education hit Liberty University with a $14 million fine after a lengthy investigation found that the evangelical Virginia institution failed to comply with federal campus crime-reporting requirements and administrators discouraged victims from coming forward, ED officials announced Tuesday.

It’s the largest fine on record for violations of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act, according to Office of Federal Student Aid officials.

As part of a settlement agreement with the department, Liberty will also spend $2 million on campus safety improvements and compliance enhancements, according to a news release. Liberty will be on postreview monitoring through April 2026 “to ensure that the school executes on promised improvements,” the Department of Education announced Tuesday.

While Liberty officials have acknowledged the settlement agreement, administrators claim the university was treated unfairly, echoing the sentiments of conservative lawmakers. A Liberty spokesperson also said the university has remedied the safety issues that prompted the fine.

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