The United States Department of Education has initiated a formal federal review of Brown University's actions surrounding the tragic mass shooting on its campus on December 13, 2025. The incident resulted in the deaths of two students and left nine others injured. This high-level probe will scrutinize whether the prestigious Ivy League institution adhered to mandatory federal campus safety regulations.
Scope of the Federal Investigation
Announced via a press release on December 22, 2025, the review will be conducted by the Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid. It focuses specifically on compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. This law, established in 1990, mandates that all colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid must maintain transparent crime reporting and timely emergency alert systems.
The Department stated that the investigation was prompted by public reports and community concerns pointing to possible failures in Brown's surveillance infrastructure and potential delays in issuing emergency notifications during the shooting. “If true, these shortcomings constitute serious breaches of Brown’s responsibilities under federal law,” the Department's release emphasized.
US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon underscored the review's purpose, stating, “Students deserve to feel safe at school, and every university across this nation must protect their students.” She affirmed the Trump Administration's commitment to ensuring institutions follow mandated security procedures.
Potential Penalties and University's Response
The consequences for Brown University could be severe if violations are found. The Department holds the authority to levy financial penalties of up to $71,545 per violation and can mandate policy changes as a condition for the university to continue receiving federal student aid.
In response, Brown University spokesperson Brian Clark confirmed receipt of the federal notice. Clark clarified that this federal review is a separate process from the internal actions the university had already announced. University President Christina Paxson had earlier outlined a three-step response plan including enhanced security measures, an after-action review of the December 13 event, and a broader campus safety assessment.
Records Under Scrutiny
The Department has demanded a comprehensive set of documents from Brown, with a submission deadline of January 30, 2026. The requested records include:
- Annual Security Reports for 2024 and 2025.
- Crime and arrest logs dating back to 2021.
- Dispatch records from Brown University Public Safety.
- A complete list of all Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications issued between 2021 and 2025.
- Internal safety policies and emergency response procedures.
This multi-year document request indicates the investigation is not limited to the single day of the shooting but will examine whether Brown's safety systems have been consistently meeting federal standards.
What Comes Next for Brown University
Currently, the review does not assume any wrongdoing by the university. No specific timeline for the findings has been announced, and Brown has not been formally accused of violations beyond the scope of the examination. The outcome, however, carries significant weight. It could lead to substantial financial penalties, enforced changes in campus security policy, and set a precedent for how safety obligations are interpreted after violent campus incidents nationwide.
The Department has stated it may require corrective action if any breaches of the Clery Act are identified. The final decision on penalties or mandated reforms will hinge on the evidence Brown provides and the Department's evaluation of the university's response before, during, and after the December 13 shooting.
