The U.S. Department of Education is launching a program review of Brown University after a tragic shooting on campus in December 2025 that claimed the lives of two students. This review will assess whether Brown violated the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, requiring colleges to uphold safety standards to receive federal aid.
Following the shooting, reports indicated that Brown may have lacked adequate campus surveillance. This raised alarms when the suspect fled the scene and the university struggled to share crucial information about the situation. Students and staff also noted delays in emergency alerts, which adds to the concerns regarding campus safety measures.
U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, emphasized the importance of safety at schools, stating, “Students deserve to feel safe at school.” She pledged that the federal government would ensure universities uphold their responsibilities to protect their students effectively.
To guide their investigation, the Department has requested that Brown provide various documents by January 30, 2026. These include:
- Annual Security Reports (ASRs) for 2024 and 2025.
- Records of crime incidents from 2021 to 2024.
- Dispatch logs and daily crime logs for the same period.
- A list of all safety alerts issued in recent years.
- Policies related to emergency notifications and responses.
The Clery Act makes it mandatory for colleges receiving federal aid to publicly share yearly security reports, detailing crime statistics and safety measures. Violations can lead to fines and policy changes, ensuring schools prioritize student safety.
Recent studies suggest that college campuses across the U.S. face similar challenges. A 2022 report by the Association of American Universities found that 25% of students experienced harassment, highlighting the need for stronger safety measures nationwide. This incident at Brown serves as a sobering reminder for all educational institutions to regularly evaluate and enhance their safety protocols.
In today’s climate, students actively share their safety concerns on social media, reflecting broader worries about campus security. The responses from the Brown community illustrate an urgent demand for action, underscoring that the dialogue around safety is more critical than ever.
For further information about the Clery Act and campus safety regulations, you can visit the official U.S. Department of Education page on the Clery Act.
