Providence, RI – Brown University is facing increased scrutiny following a shooting earlier this month that left two students dead and nine injured. The university has placed its campus police chief on administrative leave, and the U.S. Department of Education has launched a federal investigation into the school’s adherence to campus safety protocols. This review comes amid concerns about the speed of the response and the availability of critical security footage.
The shooting occurred on November 17th within the Barus & Holley engineering building. Authorities identified Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old former Brown student and Portuguese national, as the suspect. Valente’s body was discovered several days later in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, with police confirming his death was a suicide. The Department of Education’s investigation will focus on whether Brown University adequately fulfilled its obligations under the Clery Act.
Federal Investigation Focuses on Clery Act Compliance
The Clery Act, officially known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, requires colleges and universities that participate in federal student financial aid programs to publish annual security reports. These reports must detail campus crime statistics and outline the institution’s security policies. According to a statement from the Education Department, the Office of Federal Student Aid will determine if Brown University violated any aspects of this law.
Specifically, the investigation will likely examine the university’s procedures for notifying students and staff about potential threats, as well as the accessibility and maintenance of security cameras on campus. Initial reports from state and local officials indicated a delay in locating the suspect was partially due to a lack of readily available footage from inside the building where the shooting took place.
Challenges in Campus Security
Maintaining robust campus security presents unique challenges for universities. Balancing open access with the need for safety is a constant consideration. Many institutions, like Brown, have historically prioritized a welcoming environment over highly visible security measures.
However, the increasing frequency of gun violence on college campuses has prompted a reevaluation of these approaches. The Clery Act was originally enacted in 1990, following the rape and murder of Jeanne Clery, a student at Lehigh University. It has been amended several times since then, most recently in 2022, to expand its scope and strengthen reporting requirements.
The Brown University shooting has also reignited debate about the role of campus police departments. Some argue for increased funding and authority for these departments, while others advocate for alternative approaches to safety, such as enhanced mental health services and community-based violence prevention programs. The university’s decision to place its police chief on leave suggests an internal assessment of the department’s response to the incident is underway.
The investigation by the Department of Education could result in a range of outcomes, from a finding of no violation to significant financial penalties. The severity of any penalties would likely depend on the extent to which the university is found to have been non-compliant with the Clery Act. Additionally, the findings could lead to mandated changes in Brown’s security policies and procedures.
Meanwhile, the Brown University community continues to grieve and grapple with the aftermath of the shooting. Counseling services and support groups have been made available to students, faculty, and staff. The university has also announced plans to review its emergency response protocols and to invest in additional security measures.
The Department of Education has not announced a specific timeline for the completion of its investigation. Observers will be watching for the agency’s findings and any subsequent actions taken by the university. The case highlights the ongoing need for colleges and universities to prioritize campus safety and to ensure they are meeting their obligations under federal law.
