Liberty University President Dondi E. Costin says the U.S. Department of Education has threatened the institution with an “unprecedented” fine of $37.5 million for alleged Clery Act violations.
The potential fine comes on the heels of a leaked report from within the department accusing school officials, including a former president, of creating a “culture of fear” for sexual assault survivors.
“The leak is intentionally aimed at laying the groundwork for an unprecedented fine and the report is filled with factual errors that the department has admitted to Liberty in their negotiations,” Costin told Fox News.
The Clery Act, established in 1990, mandates that colleges and universities report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and implement policies to enhance campus safety. According to the Clery Center, the act aims to provide transparency and safety to students and the wider community.