Dept. of Education Investigates Brown University's Security After Shooting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Department of Education announced this week that it is reviewing Brown University’s security systems. The announcement comes after the shooting that took place earlier this month, which killed two students.

“In the hours after the shooting, public reporting appeared to show that Brown’s campus surveillance and security system may not have been up to appropriate standards, allowing the suspect to flee while the university seemed unable to provide helpful information about the profile of the alleged assassin,” the department stated.

Universities subject to federal student aid must adhere to certain security measures. The department is investigating whether Brown met those standards.

On Dec. 13, a gunman entered a campus building and shot 10 students. The shooter managed to escape. In response to the shooter’s escape, authorities released security footage and urged the public to help identify the suspect.

Brown stated last week that it plans to review campus security, mentioning its large array of security cameras. A Brown spokesperson assured that the school was taking steps to inform its emergency-response protocols as well.

After escaping, Claudio Neves Valente killed MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in his apartment near Boston, authorities said. Officials haven’t discovered why the gunman committed the acts.

On Thursday, December 18, authorities found Valente dead about 65 miles north of the school.

“Students deserve to feel safe at school, and every university across this nation must protect their students and be equipped with adequate resources to aid law enforcement,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed.

Following the tragedy, Chief of Police Rodney Chatman was placed on leave effective immediately, according to the school. Brown is appointing Hugh Clements, the former chief, as its interim vice president for public safety. Clements will also serve as chief of police for the meantime.

According to The Wall Street Journal, “The federal Clery Act mandates that universities collect and disclose information about campus crimes and security. The Education Department can fine or bar schools in violation of the Clery Act from participating in federal student aid programs.”