Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Controversy at K-State

Detert, James (Jim...

Case

Controversy at K-State

Detert, James (Jim); Bruno, Evan

OB-1343 | Published August 10, 2022 | 3 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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In this case, students take on the role of the president of Kansas State University (K-State), a public university located in Manhattan, Kansas. In response to an offensive tweet from a university student, many Black athletes at K-State are demanding action be taken against the student, saying they will not participate in any sporting events until something is done. Other stakeholders at the school are opposed to the athletes' actions, arguing in defense of free speech. A public response cannot be delayed any longer. Acting as the president of the university, students must decide what to do. Students are therefore asked to read the case in class and immediately write down their answers to questions about how they view the students’ demands, about what the university president should decide and do, and about how best to communicate with the various key stakeholders. Ultimately, whatever is done next will be highly scrutinized and will likely have long-lasting consequences for the athletics department, the university as a whole, and the president’s and potentially others’ individual reputations. This makes the case useful for helping students simulate real-time, concrete decision-making about difficult situations with major implications.