Dr. Christina H. Paxson
The Department's Office of Federal Student Aid will investigate whether Brown violated the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, which requires colleges receiving federal student aid to meet campus safety and security requirements. The investigation comes after public reports suggested the university's surveillance system failed to track the suspect and emergency notifications to students were delayed during the active shooter incident.
"After two students were horrifically murdered at Brown University when a shooter opened fire in a campus building, the Department is initiating a review of Brown to determine if it has upheld its obligation under the law to vigilantly maintain campus security," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "The Trump Administration will fight to ensure that recipients of federal funding are vigorously protecting students' safety and following security procedures as required under federal law."
Brown University President Dr. Christina H. Paxson said that Rodney Chatman, vice president for public safety and emergency management, has been placed on leave. Hugh T. Clements, former chief of the Providence Police Department, will serve as interim chief.
The federal investigation will examine whether Brown's campus security systems and emergency alert procedures met legal standards. According to the Department, many students and staff reported that emergency notifications about the active shooter were delayed, and the university's surveillance system appeared inadequate, allowing the suspect to flee without providing helpful information to law enforcement.
The Department has requested Brown submit extensive documentation by January 30, 2026, including annual security reports from 2024 and 2025, crime incident logs from 2021-2025, records of all emergency notifications issued during that period, and complete standard operating procedures for the campus police department, including protocols for active shooter scenarios.
Brown announced it will implement immediate safety measures through a rapid response team during winter break and ahead of the Spring 2026 semester. The university will also hire outside experts to conduct an after-action review examining campus safety conditions before the shooting, the university's response on December 13, and subsequent emergency response efforts.
