This week, officials with the U.S. Department of Education arrived in State College to begin an investigation into whether Penn State has complied with federal laws that require disclosure of reported criminal offenses on college campuses. The investigation was launched in the wake of the sex crimes allegations against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Earlier this month, Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse against eight children, all of whom were participants in the "Second Mile" charity program when the alleged abuse occurred.

During their time in State College, the federal officials will be reviewing documents and interviewing Penn State employees involved in campus security, athletics, student affairs, residence and Greek life, judicial affairs, and policing. They will be working to determine whether Penn State has complied with the Jeanne Clery Disclocure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (different than the disclosure required by the state's open records law, which we discussed last week.)

Named after a 19-year-old LeHigh University freshman who was raped and murdered by another student in her dorm room in 1986, the law requires that colleges disclose the number of criminal offenses and allegations that are reported every year. Also, under the federal act, college officials must broadcast a warning in a timely manner if the crime that is reported poses a threat to students, staff, and others on campus.

Penn State President Rodney Erickson recently told The Patriot-News that the university plans to be as compliant and helpful as possible by gathering documents and other information as requested by federal officials. We will report on the findings of the Education department investigation as soon as they become available.

Source: The Patriot-News, "Penn State under review by U.S. Department of Education over handling of Jerry Sandusky allegations," Nov. 28, 2011