Nichols College Lawsuit Alleges Racially Disparate Discipline After 2023 Campus Fight

Two Black former students of Nichols College—Shamar Hall and Giovanni McLaughlin—have filed a federal civil-rights suit claiming the college punished them far more harshly than white students involved in an October 2023 altercation. Hall was expelled; McLaughlin was barred from campus activities and student-life resources. The plaintiffs contend that white participants, including those who initiated the violence, faced no comparable sanctions. Police reports indicate ten students were accused of attacking four others, one victim suffered a concussion, and three bystanders received cuts and bruises.

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The lawsuit, filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights with pro bono counsel from Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP, alleges racially biased questioning, denial of legal counsel during college conduct hearings, and failure to address hate-speech posts on the Yik Yak platform. The complaint also asserts that the Dudley Police Department’s criminal investigation focused disproportionately on the Black students. Hall and McLaughlin seek monetary damages, reinstatement of Hall, restoration of McLaughlin’s housing and academic access, and policy reforms to prevent future disparate treatment.

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Nichols College declined comment on the specific allegations, citing federal privacy regulations, and a college spokesperson asserted confidence in the fairness of its student-conduct system. Dudley Police Chief Marek Karlowicz described the incident as “an attack,” rejected the notion of a typical fight, and said there was no evidence of self-defense or racial motivation. The Worcester NAACP publicly supported the plaintiffs, emphasizing the need for institutional accountability.

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• “Nichols College unfairly targeted us, putting our futures at risk,” — Shamar Hall

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• “Before this, I had never faced any disciplinary action,” — Giovanni McLaughlin

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• “Colleges and universities have a legal and moral obligation to conduct disciplinary proceedings that are fair and free from discrimination,” — Mirian Albert, senior attorney, Lawyers for Civil Rights

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• “This lawsuit is a reminder to all educational institutions that if you engage in or fail to remedy disparate treatment, such as hate speech on campus, there will be legal consequences.” — Monica Shah, partner, Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP

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• “When institutions fail to treat students equitably, the NAACP must intervene,” — Fred Taylor, president, Worcester NAACP

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If successful, the suit could compel Nichols College to revise its conduct procedures, increase transparency in disciplinary investigations, and set a precedent for how private colleges address alleged racial bias. The case also spotlights broader concerns about equitable treatment of students of color in higher-education settings.

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