US Department of Education opens Clery Act review after Brown University shooting: Here’s what to know

The US Department of Education has announced a formal review of Brown University following the mass shooting on campus on December 13, 2025, that killed two students and injured nine others. The review will examine whether the University complied with federal campus safety requirements under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, according to a press release issued by the Department on December 22.

The investigation will be conducted by the Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid, which is responsible for enforcing the Clery Act. The law, enacted in 1990 as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, requires colleges and universities receiving federal student aid to meet specific standards related to campus security, crime reporting and emergency notifications.

What the Department is investigating

According to the Department’s press release, the review was triggered by public reporting and community accounts suggesting potential gaps in Brown’s surveillance infrastructure and delays in issuing emergency alerts following the shooting. “If true, these shortcomings constitute serious breaches of Brown’s responsibilities under federal law,” the release stated.

If the Department finds that Brown violated the Clery Act, it has the authority to impose financial penalties that can reach up to $71,545 per violation and to require policy changes as a condition of continued access to federal student aid.

The Department’s response and legal authority

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the review was intended to assess whether the University met its legal obligations in the aftermath of the shooting. “Students deserve to feel safe at school, and every university across this nation must protect their students and be equipped with adequate resources to aid law enforcement,” McMahon said in the Department’s statement. She added that the Trump Administration would ensure that institutions receiving federal funding comply with required security procedures.

Records requested from the University

The Department has requested that Brown submit a wide range of records by January 30, 2026. These include copies of the University’s Annual Security Reports for 2024 and 2025, crime and arrest logs dating back to 2021, dispatch and call records from Brown University Public Safety, and a complete list of Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications issued between 2021 and 2025. The request also covers internal policies, emergency response procedures and assessments of campus safety practices conducted since 2020.

What the Clery Act requires

The Clery Act requires institutions to publish annual reports detailing campus crime statistics and safety policies, as well as to issue timely alerts to students and staff when serious threats arise. The Office of Federal Student Aid may open a review in response to a specific incident or to assess broader patterns of non-compliance, according to the Department.

Brown’s response to the federal review

Brown University confirmed that it has been notified of the federal review. University spokesperson Brian Clark wrote in an email to The Brown Daily Herald that the review is separate from actions the University has already announced internally.

In a campus-wide email sent earlier this week, Brown President Christina Paxson outlined three steps the University is taking in response to the shooting. These include continued enhancements to safety and security measures, an after-action review of the December 13 incident and a broader assessment of campus safety practices. Clark said that these measures are proceeding independently of the Clery Act review.

Ongoing campus security measures

Last Wednesday, the University also announced that it would begin what it described as a large-scale systematic security review of the entire campus, according to an email Clark sent to The Herald and other news organisations.

At a press conference last week, Paxson addressed questions about campus surveillance, stating that she did not believe the absence of cameras in the Barus and Holley buildings was connected to the shooting, The Herald reports.

What happens next

While the federal review will focus on compliance with statutory requirements, its scope extends beyond the immediate events of December. By requesting records covering multiple years, the Department appears to be examining whether the University’s safety systems and reporting practices meet federal standards on an ongoing basis, rather than only in moments of crisis.

For now, the review does not presume wrongdoing. The Department has not announced a timeline for its findings, and Brown has not been accused of specific violations beyond those under examination. However, the outcome could have financial and regulatory consequences, as well as implications for how campus safety obligations are interpreted and enforced in the wake of violent incidents.

The Department stated that it may require corrective action if violations are identified. Whether the review results in penalties or policy changes will depend on the information Brown submits and the Department’s assessment of how the University responded before, during and after the shooting.Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!