In the wake of a federal investigation into sexual assaults at Liberty University, the chairwoman of the House Republican committee on education, Virginia Foxx, is raising questions about the possibility of the federal government specifically targeting religious institutions. Foxx, who previously taught at two colleges, refrained from directly disputing the Department of Education’s findings that the university had mistreated victims. Instead, she, along with fellow House Republicans James Comer of Kentucky and Bob Good of Virginia, is focusing on concerns related to the handling of the investigation. The lawmakers are particularly interested in how a preliminary report was leaked and the potential financial penalties the Christian university might face.
The House Republicans, in a letter expressing their concerns, stated, “We write to express our deep concern about how the U.S. Department of Education seems to be targeting religious institutions through program reviews and fines that greatly exceed established and documented precedent.” Liberty University, founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell, is a prominent speaking destination for Republican lawmakers and stands as one of the largest online colleges in the country. In the 2020-21 school year, it received nearly $860 million in federal funding to support students in their pursuit of higher education.
At the heart of the federal government’s investigation is Liberty University’s compliance with the Clery Act, a federal law mandating universities to document instances of sexual violence and other crimes on their campuses. A preliminary report, obtained by USA TODAY and the Washington Post, revealed that victims of sexual assault at Liberty felt discouraged by the university administration’s reputation for punishing survivors rather than offering support.
The report further highlighted Liberty’s failure to track attacks on community members and referenced instances where university staff attempted to destroy both physical and digital records. Additionally, the report identified at least one current employee, Keith Anderson, the university’s executive director of the “Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives,” who had been accused of sexual misconduct yet retained his position.
In response to the inquiry, the Department of Education clarified that a school’s religious affiliation does not impact federal investigations or oversight. The agency refrained from commenting on the report’s details or the timing of potential fines but emphasized that universities are informed of government sanctions before public disclosure.
The Republicans’ letter also mentioned rumors of a potential $37.5 million fine linked to Clery Act violations, raising concerns that the Department of Education might be preparing to issue an unusually high penalty. The lawmakers drew parallels to a previous case where Michigan State University faced a $4.5 million fine in connection to sexual assaults committed by Larry Nassar.
Liberty University President Dondi Costin, in October 2023, discussed the $37.5 million figure on Fox News, expressing dissatisfaction with some inaccuracies in the department’s findings. He also questioned whether the Education Department had unfairly targeted the institution by leaking the report.
In their letter, the lawmakers requested a briefing from the Department of Education before any further action is taken regarding Clery Act proceedings. Additionally, they sought information on efforts to identify the source of the leaked findings and the Department’s plans to prevent future leaks. The ongoing dispute highlights the complex intersection of federal oversight, religious institutions, and the handling of sensitive issues on university campuses.