Education Department Says Michigan State Violated Law in Handling of Crime, Nassar Allegations
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Says school failed to report accurate crime statistics or warn students of crime—including sexual violence.
Rebecca Cook/Reuters
The U.S. Department of Education has concluded that Michigan State University violated federal law for years in failing to properly report crimes and warn students about criminal threats, ESPN reports. A Dec. 14 report obtained by the sports network is said to claim the school—in its “athletics, Greek life, and residence-hall” areas—lacked “administrative capability” in order to handle crimes, including sexual violence. The report also is said to state Michigan State lacked “institutional control” in its handling of the sexual-assault allegations against disgraced physician Larry Nassar, who worked at the school and for the U.S. gymnastics team. The department concluded the university’s actions constituted “serious violations of the Clery Act,” which could lead to fines of up to $56,000 per violation. In a statement, Michigan State said it was reviewing the department’s findings and would make it its “goal to be in full compliance with Clery Act requirements.”
