WACO, TX — The U.S. Department of Education has fined Baylor University $461,656 based on Clery Act violations that occurred between 2011 and 2016.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Education’s Clery Act Compliance/Campus Safety Operations group began a comprehensive Clery Program Review at Baylor University, which included a review of the University’s Annual Fire Safety and Security Reports, as well as the University’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program and other related safety and security materials.
The Department of Education has recently notified the University that it has completed its review of Baylor’s Clery program, which aims to provide transparency around campus crime policy and statistics, Baylor President Linda Livingstone said in a message to students and faculty.
As a result of this review, the Department of Education has fined Baylor $461,656 based on Clery violations that occurred between 2011 and 2016.
These violations include lack of administrative capability, failure to report accurate crime statistics in the annual safety and security report, failure to comply with timely warning issuance and policy provisions, and failure to maintain an accurate, complete daily crime log.
"Baylor does not plan to contest this fine, as we contend it is fair given the circumstances and in comparison to Clery-related penalties levied against other schools," said President Livingstone. "Additionally, we believe that the Department of Education took note of the University’s significant corrective actions made in the administration of and compliance with the Clery Act, and found them acceptable."
In contrast to other institutions that have also been found in violation of the Clery Act enforcement actions, Baylor will not be required to undergo ongoing Clery compliance reviews related to this inquiry by the Department of Education.
"Going forward, we aim to set a standard among colleges and universities in the administration of the Clery Act on our campus," said Livingstone.
