• Brown University is undergoing a federal review following a deadly shooting that killed two students.
• The U.S. Department of Education is investigating potential violations of the Clery Act related to campus safety.
• The university's police chief has been placed on administrative leave amid the review process.
• Concerns have emerged about the university's emergency alert system and surveillance infrastructure.
• Brown must submit extensive records by January 30, 2026, as part of the investigation.

In response to the tragic shooting on December 13, 2025, which left two students dead and nine injured, Brown University is undergoing a thorough review by the U.S. Department of Education. The review will assess whether the institution upheld its obligations under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, which mandates colleges to implement adequate safety measures and report crime transparently, according to Channel News Asia and ABC News.

As part of immediate actions taken after the incident, Brown University placed its campus police chief on administrative leave. Christina Paxson, the university's president, emphasized that the review is a standard measure aimed at enhancing campus safety. The university plans to conduct an "After-Action Review" of the shooting incident, focusing on how safety measures were executed prior to and during the event, as reported by BBC and The Hill.

Federal scrutiny comes after reports indicated a potential failure in Brown's emergency notification system and surveillance capabilities, raising questions about the effectiveness of their safety protocols. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the review would examine allegations of delayed emergency alerts and insufficient security measures, highlighting the need for universities to protect their students adequately, as per The Hill and India Times.

The Department of Education's review necessitates Brown University to submit comprehensive records by January 30, 2026, including its Annual Security Reports and records of crimes and emergency notifications. This scrutiny is crucial for ensuring compliance with the Clery Act, which mandates transparency in campus security practices, according to India Times and The Hill.

Meanwhile, university officials have indicated that they are committed to enhancing campus security measures, including hiring external experts to assess safety protocols and implementing security improvements. President Paxson assured the community of a sustained effort to restore safety and security on campus in the wake of this tragic event, as discussed in ABC News and Channel News Asia.