LSU is under federal investigation for ‘safety practices’ following several sexual assault complaints, according to The Advocate. 
The U.S. Department of Education will examine if LSU violated the Clery Act, which requires universities to report on-campus crimes and address sexual violence. The 1990 federal act aims for transparency within campus crime policies.
The investigation will begin immediately and will focus on LSU Athletics and Greek Life, according to a Feb. 2 letter written to Interim President Thomas Galligan from the Department of Education.
According to the letter, the University is required to submit several documents to the Department of Education by March 19, including a copy of LSUPD’s daily crime log from 2016-2020, an “audit trail” showing LSUPD arrests and other reports and organizational charts.
LSU officials will be “in regular contact” with department officials during the investigation, according to the letter. USA Today reported that the investigation is “open-ended,” with no defined completion date.
“LSU is also advised that any failure to cooperate with the program review team will result in the U.S. Department of Education initiating an administrative action against the institution,” the letter read.
According to the letter, administrative action could include the “imposition of a fine” or the “limitation, suspension or termination of the institution’s Title IV program participation.”
LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard acknowledged the investigation Feb. 5.
“Campus safety and the well being of those at LSU is always our priority, and following Clery guidelines for reporting and notifying the campus community is an important part of crime prevention that we take extremely seriously,” Ballard said.
The investigation comes three months after an article by USA Today examined LSU’s mishandling of sexual assault and abuse incidences. Several women came forward with allegations that they were sexually assaulted or abused by students and athletes, but said the University did not fully investigate their claims.
LSU commissioned an investigation from Husch Blackwell law firm over potential Title IX violations. Results from the report are expected later this month.