Liberty University's Student Return: What You Need To Know

Liberty University's decision to bring back students amid the COVID-19 pandemic sparked outrage among Lynchburg, Virginia residents, with the city's mayor, Treney Tweedy, stating that citizens were furious and concerned about the health risks. The university's president, Jerry Falwell Jr., a staunch ally of former President Trump and an influential evangelical figure, faced criticism for his decision, which resulted in a surge of COVID-19 cases on campus. Despite warnings from health experts and pleas from government officials, Falwell Jr. defended his actions and downplayed the severity of the virus, causing confusion and concern among the Liberty University community and beyond.

Liberty University's reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic

Liberty University, a private, evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, made headlines in 2020 for its decision to reopen its campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The university's president, Jerry Falwell Jr., a staunch ally of President Trump, faced intense criticism from various quarters, including the media, local government, and concerned citizens.

Falwell's decision to reopen the university was met with strong opposition from Lynchburg residents, including the city's mayor, Treney Tweedy. In an interview, Mayor Tweedy expressed outrage, stating, "We had a firestorm of our own citizens who said, 'What's going on?'" The mayor, along with other Lynchburg city officials, urged Falwell to reconsider his decision, reflecting the concern for the health and safety of the community.

The New York Times was particularly critical of Liberty University's move, with a headline that read, "Liberty University Brings Back Its Students, and Coronavirus Fears, Too." The article highlighted the risks associated with reopening, noting that several students exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, and some were advised to self-isolate. The newspaper also quoted Lynchburg's mayor, who criticized Falwell for disregarding state and local government health advisories.

Despite the backlash, Falwell defended his decision, stating that Liberty University was being targeted because of its conservative and Christian values. He argued that the university was being attacked for its political and religious affiliation. Falwell also asserted that the university was adhering to Virginia's public health mandates and taking necessary precautions, such as requiring students returning to campus to self-quarantine for 14 days.

In contrast to the criticism, an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal praised Falwell's handling of the situation. The author, William McGurn, acknowledged that Falwell's decision faced attacks and accusations from numerous national media outlets, but he claimed that Liberty's approach had proven successful. McGurn highlighted the fact that, despite the predictions of a coronavirus outbreak on campus, there were no reported cases among students living in residence halls or working in campus offices.

The debate surrounding Liberty University's reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic reflects the broader political and social divisions in the country. While some criticized the university for downplaying the severity of the pandemic, others defended its right to make decisions in line with its values.

Liberty University's $14 million fine for campus safety law violations

In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Education imposed a $14 million fine on Liberty University, a Christian college located in Lynchburg, Virginia, over violations of a campus safety law. The fine was the result of a settlement agreement with the university for violations of the Clery Act, including issues regarding the school's published crime statistics and treatment of sexual assault survivors.

The Clery Act, officially named the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, was passed by Congress in 1990. The law requires post-secondary schools participating in federal financial aid programs to collect and provide important information about public safety issues to current students, parents, employees, prospective students, and employees. The legislation was named in memory of Jeanne Clery, who was raped and murdered in her college dorm at Lehigh University in 1986.

The Department of Education's review identified 11 violations by Liberty University, including failing to maintain an accurate, daily crime log; failing to issue timely warnings to the campus community about reportable crimes; and failing to comply with numerous sexual violence prevention and response requirements.

As part of the settlement, Liberty University agreed to spend an additional $2 million to improve on-campus safety over the next two years. The Department of Education will also conduct post-review monitoring of the university through April 2026 to ensure that the school executes the promised improvements. Any further lapses in Clery Act compliance could result in administrative sanctions or jeopardize the university's participation in federal student aid programs.

The fine and remedial actions imposed in the settlement reflect the serious and longstanding nature of Liberty University's violations, which undermined campus safety for students, faculty, and staff. The university's administration promptly acknowledged the violations and demonstrated a commitment to addressing them.

Liberty University's cuts to its divinity faculty

Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, founded by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns, has been at the centre of several controversies. The university's decision to bring back students in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic sparked outrage among Lynchburg residents, city officials, students, parents, and employees. The university's president, Jerry Falwell Jr., a staunch ally of President Trump, was heavily criticised for this decision.

In addition to the backlash over reopening during the pandemic, Liberty University has also faced scrutiny for its handling of sexual assault allegations, diversity and inclusion efforts, and financial practices. These issues have led to protests, lawsuits, and calls for reform from various groups, including students, alumni, and staff.

Now, to address your specific request regarding cuts to the divinity faculty, here is some detailed information on that topic:

In May 2024, Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity decided not to renew the contracts of a dozen faculty members, significantly reducing its on-campus instructional workforce. This decision came at a time when the university and its president, Jerry Falwell Jr., were highly prominent in both cultural and political spheres. The cuts affected one-fifth of the deans, faculty members, program chairs, and staff listed on the School of Divinity's faculty page.

The cuts were made due to declining enrolment in the School of Divinity, which had been steadily losing students over the years. On-campus and online enrolment in the School of Divinity had been falling, and freshman applications to study on campus had plunged after 2016. The university's vast online offerings also experienced a nearly 10% enrolment drop between 2014 and 2018.

Despite the negative publicity surrounding these cuts, Liberty University's leadership defended their decision. Jerry Falwell Jr. stated that the divinity school needed to adapt to a changing culture where students are less likely to work full-time for churches. He argued that students now prefer to pair spiritual work with other careers, and the university needed to reflect this shift.

The university's provost, Scott M. Hicks, supported the decision, stating that non-renewal of contracts was a standard practice and not uncommon. He also mentioned that Liberty University, unlike most universities, does not offer tenure to its faculty, except for the law school, which is an accreditation requirement.

Affected professors either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for statements. However, some divinity school faculty members publicly acknowledged the cuts on social media, expressing their disappointment and concern.

While Liberty University's leadership maintained their stance, the cuts drew attention and criticism from various quarters. Some pointed out the timing of the non-renewals, which could make it challenging for affected professors to find full-time employment. Additionally, the use of nondisclosure agreements as part of the severance packages raised eyebrows among academic freedom experts.

Despite the controversy, Liberty University's online divinity programs continued to be a significant source of revenue for the institution, attracting many students interested in religious studies. The university also planned to introduce a requirement for full-time divinity students to take business courses, reflecting the changing nature of ministerial work.

Liberty University's controversial leader, Jerry Falwell Jr

Jerry Falwell Jr., the former president of Liberty University, is a controversial figure in American evangelicalism and conservative politics. Falwell Jr. is known for his staunch support of former President Donald Trump and his influence in evangelical circles. He has also been criticised for his management of Liberty University, his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and his involvement in various scandals.

Falwell Jr. was appointed president of Liberty University in 2007 following the death of his father, Jerry Falwell Sr., the founder of the university. Under Falwell Jr.'s leadership, the university grew significantly and became a powerhouse in evangelical education with nearly 46,000 undergraduates and a large endowment. However, Falwell Jr.'s leadership style has been described as authoritarian, with allegations of nepotism and financial misconduct. In 2019, Politico reported that Falwell Jr. ruled the university through fear and allowed his wife, Becki Falwell, to have an unusual amount of influence in school affairs.

Falwell Jr. has also been criticised for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, he decided to reopen Liberty University despite warnings from health officials, leading to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases on campus. Falwell Jr. played down the dangers of the virus and suggested that concerns about the pandemic were politically motivated attempts to damage Trump. He also promoted conspiracy theories, claiming that the coronavirus was a North Korean bioweapon developed in collaboration with China.

In addition to these controversies, Falwell Jr. has been involved in several scandals that ultimately led to his resignation from Liberty University in August 2020. In 2019, it was revealed that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, had helped Falwell Jr. suppress compromising photos of himself. Later, in 2020, Falwell Jr. posted a provocative photo on social media that showed him with his pants unzipped and his arm around a woman whose shorts were also unzipped. This photo sparked criticism and allegations of hypocritical behaviour, as Liberty University has a strict code of conduct for students. Around the same time, news outlets reported that Becki Falwell had engaged in an extramarital affair with a pool attendant, and that Jerry Falwell Jr. had participated in some of these liaisons as a voyeur. Falwell Jr. initially denied these allegations but later confirmed the affair and admitted to watching his wife engage in sexual activities with the pool attendant.

Following these scandals, Falwell Jr. resigned from his position at Liberty University and received a $10.5 million severance package. He has since sued the university multiple times for various reasons, including defamation and failure to pay retirement funds. In 2024, Falwell Jr. and the university reached a settlement, with the university agreeing to pay an undisclosed sum in retirement and severance payments. Falwell Jr. has expressed interest in writing a book and potentially joining Trump's team in a political role, although he has stated that he would not move to Washington.

Liberty University's response to antisemitism on campus

In October 2019, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. published a viewpoint piece in the Liberty Journal, titled "The Dangerous Rise of the New Anti-Semitism in America". In it, Falwell Jr. condemns anti-Semitic rhetoric and attitudes, stating that "anti-Semitism cannot and should not be tolerated" and that it "has no place in America [or] the world". He also highlights the role of the media in exacerbating the issue, and calls on Christians to speak out against anti-Semitic atrocities.

However, Falwell Jr.'s commitment to tackling anti-Semitism has been called into question. In 2017, the progressive Muslim lawyer Dean Obeidallah wrote an article in The Daily Beast, in which he detailed his unsuccessful attempts to speak at Liberty University. Obeidallah, who was "asking to speak [...] in the spirit of the same freedom of expression and exchange of ideas", was ignored by Falwell Jr. and other university administrators. Obeidallah noted that Falwell Jr. had previously made anti-Muslim statements, such as telling a gathering of students that "if more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walk in and kill". Obeidallah's article suggests that Falwell Jr.'s inaction in the face of his requests to speak at the university is indicative of a wider attempt to silence alternative viewpoints.

In March 2020, Falwell Jr. made the controversial decision to partially reopen Liberty University, despite concerns about the spread of COVID-19. This decision enraged residents of Lynchburg, Virginia, and led to criticism from Lynchburg's mayor, Treney Tweedy, as well as Virginia's governor, Ralph Northam, and other Liberty students, parents, and employees.

Frequently asked questions