The university may be sanctioned for violating the Clery Act, a federal campus safety law.

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The report said awareness and interest in Clery Act compliance was "significantly lacking" throughout Penn State.

WSJ: Report Says Paterno, Others Hid Sandusky Information

The department announced its own investigation into whether Penn State failed to comply with the federal Clery Act.

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Indeed, the Freeh report is likely to put fresh focus on how universities maintain safety and whether they comply with the Clery Act.

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Since 1997, the Department of Education has completed a total of 54 Clery Act investigations, with the largest fine to date assessed to Eastern Michigan University for failing to alert the campus after the 2006 murder of a student and other violations.

WSJ: Report Says Paterno, Others Hid Sandusky Information