Building a Culture of Safety: Compliance improvements strengthen the Liberty community

As Liberty University begins its 55th academic year this fall, it does so with a steadfast commitment to fostering a community where students can thrive, employees can serve with confidence, and families can trust that the university is caring well for those entrusted to it.

Through the collaboration of multiple campus departments, Liberty has implemented a wide range of programmatic improvements to strengthen campus safety and enhance compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly communicate the policies and procedures in place to promote campus safety. Recent improvements include a $2 million investment in security infrastructure and equipment, expanded staffing within the Division of Ethics & Compliance, additional online resources designed to promote transparency and accountability, enhanced Campus Security Authority (CSA) training, and expanded prevention and awareness education for the university community.

“At Liberty University, campus safety is more than a priority; it is a foundational commitment to our stewardship responsibilities,” said Jeff Hurlbert, senior vice president for Ethics & Compliance. “Through strong security measures, Title IX protections, and rigorous Clery Act compliance, we foster a safe, respectful, and accountable environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive.”

In recent months, the university has increased exterior lighting in areas with limited nighttime visibility and installed ballistic window film at various campus locations. Liberty now operates more than 1,300 security cameras across campus, including systems equipped with enhanced facial recognition technology. Other security enhancements include license plate readers, advanced screening and detection capabilities, and 13 blue-light emergency telephone stations strategically located throughout campus.

The Office of Security & Public Safety plays a central role in these initiatives through a comprehensive approach to campus safety, coordinating efforts among the Liberty University Police Department, Emergency Management & Community Engagement, Environmental Health & Safety, and Access Control.

Both Liberty’s law enforcement and emergency communications teams hold accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), widely considered the gold standard in law enforcement accreditation. This distinction places Liberty among the top 5% of university law enforcement and emergency management organizations nationwide.

A growing partnership between Emergency Management and Liberty’s School of Aeronautics has also expanded the use of drones to support safety operations during major university events, including Commencement. Drones help identify traffic and parking concerns, enhance situational awareness, and assist emergency responders by directing ambulances and emergency medical personnel along the most efficient routes.

Liberty’s Office of Equal Rights & Title IX, which oversees compliance with Title IX, the university’s Sexual Misconduct/Title IX Policy, and its Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy, continues to provide support and resources for members of the Liberty community. The office is staffed by professionals with backgrounds in investigations, law, counseling, higher education, and social services. Team members receive ongoing training in Title IX compliance, investigative practices, trauma-informed response, and emerging issues related to harassment and discrimination.

“Title IX is often associated with investigations and complaint resolution, but its purpose extends far beyond the investigative process,” said Kasey Smith, executive director of the Office of Equal Rights & Title IX. “At its core, Title IX is designed to ensure equal access to educational opportunities in an environment free from sex-based discrimination, harassment, and misconduct. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and neutral process for all individuals involved while connecting those affected with resources and services that best meet their needs.”

The office continues to lead educational and prevention efforts, focused on bystander intervention, consent, and reducing barriers to reporting incidents. Throughout the year, students are encouraged to participate in awareness campaigns, educational programming, and campus-wide initiatives designed to foster a culture of shared responsibility and respect. This academic year, Liberty will observe National Campus Safety Awareness Month in September, Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.

Feedback from the Office of Equal Rights & Title IX’s newly implemented post-process survey has been encouraging. Individuals who completed a Title IX process frequently described staff members as “competent, kind, and caring,” helping address concerns that the process might feel intimidating.

“By encouraging informed conversations and providing educational opportunities, we aim to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and empower community members to contribute to a culture of respect, dignity, and safety,” Smith said.

The university has also invested in advanced reporting and communication systems, including Maxient, Motorola FLEX, Rave Mobile Safety, and Beacon. These platforms provide multiple avenues for members of the Liberty community to submit reports, access resources, and receive safety-related information.

“These tools are designed to make safety resources easier to find and reporting pathways easier to navigate,” said Dr. Andrew Smith, executive director of the Office of Clery Act Oversight. “Our goal is to ensure students, employees, and community members know where to turn for help and understand the important role they play in maintaining a safe campus. While cameras, emergency systems, and reporting technologies are valuable tools, campus safety ultimately depends on informed and engaged community members.”

Students, employees, and visitors may report prohibited conduct, including sexual misconduct or discrimination, by calling (434) 592-4999, emailing ert@liberty.edu, or submitting a report online.

Collaboration across campus remains central to Liberty’s safety efforts. The Data Accuracy and Reconciliation Team, operating under the Office of Clery Act Oversight, brings together representatives from University Police, Student Conduct, and Title IX to review incidents and verify statistical classifications. This process helps ensure the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of Clery-reportable data.

The Office of Institutional Compliance also leads a university-wide Compliance Council that meets quarterly to review regulatory developments and coordinate compliance initiatives across the institution.

Employees designated as Title IX Responsible Employees and Campus Security Authorities, along with residential students, participate in comprehensive training regarding Title IX and Clery Act reporting responsibilities. To date, more than 20,000 individuals have collectively completed approximately 45,000 hours of compliance-related training.

Technology also plays an important role in the university’s safety strategy. Liberty’s Champion Safe mobile app has been downloaded nearly 30,000 times and integrates a wide range of safety features, including emergency notifications, a mobile blue-light function, campus maps, emergency plans, support resources, reporting tools, and training materials. The app also includes a dedicated CSA resource section featuring information about Clery crimes, Clery geography, reporting links, and training resources. A guest-access feature allows family members and other members of the Liberty community to utilize many of the app’s resources.

These wide-ranging improvements have continued following the conclusion of Liberty’s two-year monitoring period associated with the Department of Education’s Clery Act Program Review this spring. Looking ahead, the university is firmly committed to sustaining and building upon its progress in strengthening campus safety, security, compliance, accountability, and care for the Liberty community. As Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” 

>> Annual compliance and security reports, as well as guidance on reporting incidents and complaints, are available at Liberty.edu/Compliance.