Board Policies and Procedures

Antisemitism Policy

Policy Number: 3.2
Revision Date: New policy
Effective Date: September 18, 2025
Responsible Cabinet Area: KCTCS President
References: 25 RS SJR 55

1. Purpose

KCTCS prohibits discrimination and harassment based on a protected class and has policies and procedures to investigate and remedy reports of allegations. KCTCS strongly encourages all community members to report any act of protected class discrimination and harassment including acts of antisemitism.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all KCTCS Colleges, departments, units, students, employees, visitors, and volunteers.

3. Policy

1. Prohibition of Antisemitism
   1. KCTCS adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) definition of Antisemitism. 
      1. "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
         
         
      2. Neither KCTCS nor a KCTCS College shall interpret the IHRA working definition of antisemitism to prohibit speech or expression that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
         
         
   2. KCTCS prohibits all forms of religious discrimination and harassment, including Antisemitism, through Administrative Policy – 3.3.1 Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy. All reports of alleged discrimination and/or harassment based on religion will be handled in accordance with 3.3.1-P Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Procedure. 
      1. All KCTCS employees are mandated to report allegations of violations of this policy in accordance with 3.3.1-P Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Procedure. Any questions regarding this requirement should be directed to the KCTCS Office of General Counsel.
         
         
   3. KCTCS will disband and defund any student organization that has been found to be providing material support or resources to designated terrorist organizations.
      1. Reports of allegations of material support can be made using the KCTCS EthicsPoint portal. Reports will be handled in accordance with the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct that governs student organizations.
         
         
      2. KCTCS will report any findings of material support to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
         
         
2. Required Reporting
   1. Each KCTCS College will collect the following data, beginning January 1, 2026:
      1. The number of reports alleging antisemitism submitted to the institution;
         
         
      2. The number of reports alleging violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that are connected to antisemitism of which the institution has been notified and the results of those investigations that are in the possession of the institution; and
         
         
      3. The number of actions that have been brought against the institution under KRS 344.450 and the outcomes of such actions.
         
         
   2. Each KCTCS College will provide this information annually to the Office of General Counsel by June 15.  KCTCS will report this information to CPE by June 30th of each year until July 1st, 2028.
      
      
3. Required Notification
   1. At the beginning of each semester, each KCTCS College will notify all students:
      1. Of their rights that are protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
         
         
      2. How they may file a complaint if they feel their rights have been violated;
         
         
      3. That KRS 344.450 provides any person injured by certain acts of discrimination with a civil cause of action to enjoin further violations and to recover the actual damages sustained and the costs of the lawsuit;
         
         
      4. Of KCTCS 3.3.1 Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy, 1.6 KCTCS Institutional and Viewpoint Neutrality Policy, and the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct; and
         
         
      5. Identify community resources that seek to serve Jewish students attending the institution.
         
         
   2. Once the required notification has been sent, each KCTCS College will provide documentation of the notice to the Office of Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance within the Office of General Counsel, no later than thirty business days after the notice has been sent.

4. Review

This policy shall be reviewed by the KCTCS Board of Regents within a two-year period after the date of the adoption of this policy.