A private college’s religious affiliation doesn’t automatically shield it from liability for racial discrimination, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has ruled.
The appellate panel unanimously rejected Chestnut Hill College’s argument that the state Human Relations Commission has no jurisdiction over a discrimination complaint filed by an African American student who was expelled for alleged theft and forgery.
Chestnut Hill is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and had not registered as a religious institution with the commission.
The college argued that it isn’t a “public accommodation” under state civil rights law and that First Amendment freedom of religion bars the commission from reviewing its expulsion decisions. However, the court said even religious educational institutions aren’t exempt from discrimination claims.
The controversy involves Allan-Michael Meads, a senior who was accused of misusing the proceeds of African American plays he directed during Black History Month in 2012. He denied any wrongdoing, provided receipts and a bank statement to show how the money was spent. He also offered to repay any amount the college believed he owed, but the college rejected his offer, the decision said.
Chestnut Hill expelled him a few weeks before graduation.
