University of Montana Fined $1 Million for Clery Act Violations

University of Montana Fined $1 Million for Clery Act Violations

UM's fine appears to be one of the highest on record for campus security issues.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • October 03, 2018

The University of Montana is facing nearly $1 million penalty for reporting "inaccurate and misleading" crime statistics. The violations focus in on 2012-2015 and say UM reported misleading information about everything from liquor violations to rape, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Education. 

The fines that UM face appear to be one of the highest on record for campus security related issues, after the nearly $2.4 million fine levied against Pennsylvania State University, according the a federal database with statistics from 2010 to 2017 and an earlier announcement from the Department of Education.

UM has said they will appeal the dollar amount even though it concurs with the findings. Communications Director for UM, Paula Short, noted that the fine is based on data that UM itself reclassified after a request from the department.

"U of M doesn't dispute the data changes, as we're the ones that made those," Short said. "We stand by that piece. We feel like the magnitude of the fine is something we want to discuss with the DOE, and we are going to exercise our avenues to do that as outlined in the letter."

The letter Short speaks of was from the Department of Education to UM President Seth Bodnar which outlines the separate fines the federal agency plans to levy and its rationale. 

"UM's violations of the Clery act and the Department's regulations are very serious," the letter said. "UM's current and prospective students and employees rely on the institution to provide accurate disclosures of campus crime statistics so they can make informed decisions about their personal safety.

"UM provided its current students and employees with inaccurate and misleading crime statistics for calendar years 2012 through 2015 as part of its (annual security reports.)"

In an email to students this week, President Bodnar said, "The University of Montana has been recognized by many as a blueprint for other universities in creating a safe and secure campus, and we aim every year to be safest campus in the country."  


About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular