The Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with Highland Community College (HCC) in Kansas to resolve the department’s investigation into allegations that Black students, primarily student-athletes, living on HCC’s main campus experienced discriminatory treatment in many aspects of campus life. This includes discipline, housing, and interactions with campus security officers. The complaints alleged that Black students were targeted for searches and surveillance and were disciplined more severely than their white peers, resulting in their unfair removal from campus housing or even expulsion.
Under the settlement, the college will improve the fairness and transparency of disciplinary proceedings to prevent such discrimination. The agreement will also strengthen policies, procedures, and training on campus security to promote consistent, non-discriminatory interactions between security personnel and students. Additionally, the agreement requires HCC to strengthen policies, procedures, and training to ensure an effective response to students’ complaints of racial discrimination.
The department opened its investigation in January 2022 under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The college cooperated fully throughout the investigation and expressed a desire to make positive changes for its students before the investigation concluded. This includes revising its policies and practices, training employees, and expanding student engagement to improve campus climate. Under the agreement, Highland Community College will:
- Reform policies on discipline, campus security, housing, and racial harassment;
- Revise policies and procedures for responding to students’ complaints of racial discrimination and ensure that complaints are handled by trained employees who understand their responsibilities;
- Ensure that the disciplinary process is fair and equitable, including by analyzing discipline data to ensure nondiscrimination;
- Train campus security and other staff on effective de-escalation techniques and non-coercive methods of gathering information;
- Survey and improve the climate and culture of HCC’s main campus and cultivate safe and welcoming spaces for Black students; and
- Ensure students’ equitable access to HCC’s educational programs and activities, regardless of race.
Protecting students from harassment and other forms of discrimination is a top priority for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
