By Aaron Miller-
Liberty University, a prominent Christian evangelical institution founded by television preacher Jerry Falwell Sr., has been levied with a staggering $14 million fine by the Department of Education.
The fine comes as a consequence of the university’s complicity in perpetuating what authorities have described as “a culture of silence” surrounding sexual assault incidents on campus.
The Department of Education initiated the review in 2022 after receiving complaints that alleged the college committed violations of the Clery Act.
The review also followed a 2021 lawsuit, in which 12 women claimed that the school created an environment that increased the likelihood of sexual assault and rape. The case was settled in 2022.
The Department of Education’s Clery Act review, conducted by the office of Federal Student Aid, identified 11 violations, such as failing to maintain an accurate, daily crime log; failing to issue timely warnings to the campus community about reportable crimes; and failing to comply with numerous sexual violence prevention and response requirements.
The ED announced on Tuesday via a press release that the office of Federal Student Aid fined LU as a result of a settlement agreement over “material and ongoing violations of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), including with respect to its published crime statistics and treatment of sexual assault survivors.”
“Students, faculty, and staff deserve to know that they can be safe and secure in their school communities. We respond aggressively to complaints about campus safety and security,” said FSA Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray.
According to the Department of Education, Liberty University failed to support victims of sexual violence, instead opting to punish them for allegedly violating the student code of conduct, while their assailants went unpunished – a blatant violation of federal law.
This condemnable conduct not only failed to uphold justice, but also perpetuated an environment where perpetrators could act with impunity.
The university, established in 1971 and known for its stringent student honor code dubbed “The Liberty Way,” ostensibly upholds conservative Christian values, including strict regulations on sexual conduct.
It also runs online tuition sessions for students, as well as a number of official conferences involving industry leaders.
Last October, hundreds of leaders including politicians gathered for the university’s annual summit, where speakers waxed lyrical about high moral standards.
U.S Senator, Mike Pompeo and former former U.S. Secretary of State and newly appointed Chair of Liberty’s Helms School of Government, Mike Pompeo were amongst speakers at the key note event.
Both political giants today and their followers will be alerted on social media about this thoroughly disappointing news with the hope they will step up to the challenge to do something about it.
Recent events have brought to light the failure of the institution to effectively address instances of sexual assault within its campus community.
As a Christian institution, Liberty University has a moral obligation to uphold the values of compassion, integrity, and accountability. The failure to do so not only tarnishes its reputation but also contradicts the fundamental principles of Christianity.
One student of the university anonymously told The Eye Of Meida.Com: ”it is disgraceful that a so0called Christian institution took a soft line on criminal conduct like rape, believing they could make victims feel guilty for being somehow negligent or blameworthy simply because they may have not been dressing in a christian way or because they had spent time alone with a man in a bedroom.
”Behaviour like this from their leadership is a disgrace to what the university claims to stand for, and I hope this fine will shake them up.
‘When they could have been using the money to support vulnerable women, help them cope with their ordeals or even support prosecution against predatory men, they were taking soft approaches.’
It is incumbent upon university leadership to acknowledge their failings, implement comprehensive reforms, and ensure that such egregious misconduct is never allowed to occur again.
In response to the fine, Liberty University has acknowledged its mistakes and committed $2 million to improve campus security. However, mere financial restitution is insufficient to address the deep-seated issues that have plagued the institution.
Genuine accountability requires a sincere commitment to change, transparency, and the prioritization of the safety and well-being of all members of the university community.
The disgraceful conduct exhibited by Liberty University in handling sexual assault cases is a stain on its legacy and a betrayal of the trust placed in it by students, faculty, and the broader Christian community.