(AP) — A small community college in northeast Kansas has settled a lawsuit accusing it of directing coaches to recruit more white athletes and subjecting Black students to excessive scrutiny such as background checks before offering them scholarships.
Terms of the settlement were not immediately made public. A brief stipulation of dismissal was filed Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.
When contacted for comment, the parties responded with identical statements saying only that they “have resolved the litigation.”
The ACLU had alleged in the lawsuit filed in March that Highland Community College instituted a plan to reduce the number of Black students.
The ACLU contended the college’s strategy included expelling black students for minor or bogus infractions and singling them out for dorm room and vehicle searches, discriminatory surveillance and harassment.
In its response to the lawsuit, the college contended its recruiting is not determined by students’ race or ethnicity and denied it ever instructed coaches to exclude out-of-state athletes from recruitment.
Highland Community College has more than 3,200 students, 87% of whom are white. During the 2019 season, 104 of the 111 football players were Black. The 2020 football recruiting class includes “a significantly lower number” of Black athletes, the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit, on behalf of four former and current students, named Eric Ingmire, vice president for student services, and Bryan Dorrel, the college’s athletic director, as defendants.
It alleges Dorrel told coaches to recruit “more local kids” and “less Southern kids.”
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Two arrested after Doniphan Co traffic stop
Seven arrested in Atchison drug investigation
Fund set up for Hiawatha couple who lost home in fire
Atchison man sentenced on child sex charge
Sabetha Community Hospital appoints new CEO
Two arrested after Jackson Co pursuit and manhunt
Atchison woman sentenced on charges in fatal crash
Heavy rain contributed to wreck injuring one person
Man arrested in Tecumseh, Neb following standoff
Longtime Nemaha Co Appraiser retires
Jackson Co traffic stop results in two arrests
KDOT work means Jackson Co delay
Atchison Co: Motorists reminded to use only hwy detours
Hiawatha City Commission sets fireworks dates, times
One killed, 3 injured in NW MO crash
Brown Co Appraiser re-appointed
Child abuse arrest made in Pawnee County
Longtime Sabetha Fire Chief recognized for service
Brownville under consideration for small modular nuclear reactor
LATEST STORIES
Shots fired, vehicle attack, lead to Mayetta arrest
Nominees sought to fill local judicial seat
Protect yourself from West Nile Virus
Unemployment figures mixed in SE Nebraska in May
Purchase of 2 patrol units for Richardson Co Sheriff's Office approved
One killed, 3 injured in NW MO crash
New firm to do facilities assessment for USD 415
St. Joseph Mo man injured after boat explodes