The United States Department of Education is looking into the way Syracuse University reports crimes in the wake of the sex abuse scandal surrounding former Syracuse associate head basketball coach Bernie Fine. The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report crimes such as murder, robbery and sexual abuse.

The Education Department is already investigating Penn State University after the child sex abuse indictment against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. A spokesperson for the Education Department says the Syracuse case is in the early stages and has not yet reached a point of official review.

Offenders can be fined $27,500 for each offense. The fines can mount into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but don't always. For example Virginia Tech University was fined $55,000 three years after shooter Seung Hui Cho opened fire on campus.

In 2007 Eastern Michigan University was fined $375,500 after violations related to the murder and sexual assault of a student in 2006. The Act is designed to protect future victims and give them the information they need to protect themselves.