Students at Harding Charter Preparatory High School in Okalahoma City said a recruiter for Oklahoma Christian University didn’t even mention the school before having them line up during their visit last week.
What We Know:
- Student Korey Todd spoke to NBC Affiliate KFOR about his experience. Todd explained that he felt uncomfortable during the assembly which was designed for 11th graders at the school. Todd also mentioned that the recruiter didn’t seem knowledgeable and didn’t know how to talk to others. Todd said, “He was like, ‘Let’s play a little game’…OK, everyone now line up from darkest to lightest skin complexion”.
- Rio Brown, another student at Harding, said that the recruiter also told the students that had the “nappiest hair” to stand in the back. Brown also mentioned how the teachers reacted to the incident. He said, “teachers left.They were crying, and they were offended…Their faces just looked disgusted. I know they had a talk with him after, like, ‘That’s not OK.”.
- Steven Stefanick, the principal at Harding Charter Preparatory, released a statement last Friday saying that the administrators were working with Oklahoma Christian University to investigate the hurtful group activity. The statement said: “the Harding Charter Preparatory High School governance board, administration, and staff does not condone any behavior and/or language that undermines our community’s values…Our community, from its inception, has valued diversity, inclusion, and a safe and supportive learning environment.”
- Oklahoma Christian University said in a statement to NBC News that the unidentified recruiter was no longer with the school and that the administrators didn’t approve the activity in advance.
The university statement also said that “admissions staff are scheduled to visit the academy Monday to apologize to Harding students and staff on behalf of the University”.
