Clery Act Enforcement Actions
The Clery Act, signed into law in November 1990, requires every college receiving federal student aid to publish its campus crime statistics; the US Department of Education can impose significant fines on institutions that fail to comply. This directory tracks major DOE enforcement determinations from publicly available records.
| Institution | State | Year | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | VA | 2024 | $14,000,000 |
| Michigan State University | MI | 2019 | $4,500,000 |
| Penn State University | PA | 2019 | $2,397,000 |
| University of California, Berkeley | CA | 2023 | $2,350,000 |
| University of Montana | MT | 2014 | $967,500 |
| Eastern Michigan University | MI | 2008 | $350,000 |
| Yale University | CT | 2013 | $165,000 |
| Tiffin University | OH | 2018 | $140,000 |
| University of Mary Washington | VA | 2018 | $115,000 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | PA | 2017 | $100,000 |
| Mount St. Mary's University | MD | 2016 | $75,000 |
| Salem International University | WV | 2014 | $70,000 |
| Becker College | MA | 2017 | $63,000 |
| Virginia Tech | VA | 2011 | $55,000 |
| Florida State University | FL | 2020 | $53,000 |
| University of the Ozarks | AR | 2014 | $35,000 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | TN | 2015 | $27,500 |
| Columbus State University | GA | 2016 | $25,000 |
| Notre Dame de Namur University | CA | 2014 | $20,000 |
| Holy Cross College | IN | 2014 | $15,000 |
Enforcement Details
Liberty University
VA · 2024Largest single Clery Act fine ever assessed. DOE found systemic failures in Title IX and Clery Act compliance, including underreporting of sexual assaults, failure to issue timely warnings, and inadequate campus safety policies over multiple years.
University contested and negotiated. Settlement under appeal.
Michigan State University
MI · 2019Largest Clery Act fine in history. Systematic failure to report sexual assaults related to Larry Nassar case. DOE found the university failed to issue timely warnings and had inadequate reporting structures.
Record fine paid. Ongoing compliance monitoring.
Penn State University
PA · 2019Failure to properly classify and report campus crime statistics related to the Jerry Sandusky case. DOE found systemic failures in crime reporting, timely warnings, and campus security policies.
Fine paid. University implemented comprehensive compliance overhaul.
University of California, Berkeley
CA · 2023Third-largest Clery Act fine. DOE found systemic failures in sexual assault reporting and response, including failure to properly classify and report incidents.
Fine assessed. University implemented reforms.
University of Montana
MT · 2014DOE and DOJ found systemic failures in handling sexual assault cases, inadequate Title IX compliance, and underreporting of crimes.
Fine paid. University entered compliance agreement with DOJ.
Eastern Michigan University
MI · 2008University covered up the 2006 murder of student Laura Dickinson, classifying her death as non-criminal to avoid negative publicity. DOE found systematic underreporting.
Fine paid. University president and other officials removed.
Yale University
CT · 2013Failure to accurately report campus crime statistics for sexual offenses. DOE found underreporting of forcible sex offenses over multiple years.
Fine paid. University enhanced reporting procedures.
Tiffin University
OH · 2018Failure to properly compile and report campus crime statistics, issue timely warnings, and maintain adequate security policies.
Fine paid.
University of Mary Washington
VA · 2018Failure to properly report hate crimes and address campus safety concerns following the 2015 murder of student Grace Mann.
Fine paid.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
PA · 2017Failure to issue timely warnings for reported crimes, deficiencies in crime classification, and inadequate fire safety reporting.
Fine paid.
Source: US Department of Education press releases and Final Program Review Determinations US Department of Education press releases and Final Program Review Determinations This list includes major publicly documented enforcement actions and may not be exhaustive