Delta Community College Protest Met With Repercussions

A protest was held at Louisiana Delta Community College on February 21, 2024, to bring attention to the alleged unfair pay and treatment of its employees. Spokesperson Robert Jordan, an employee at Delta, stated that it wasn't about them personally but about everybody who can't speak out or is afraid to speak up. "Somebody has to do something," Jordan said, "Therefore, my wife Samantha (who is now fired) and I decided to take that role." Allegations of no-cause termination and discrimination of multiple employees have been made, including against Jordan's wife. Samantha Jordan, speaking on camera, mentioned that a Bastrop campus had only one student graduate in seven years, whereas in only nine months, she graduated 11 students. Jordan asked the head of PR why she was being fired, allegedly being told that she didn't know. Robert Jordan claimed that as head of PR, she should know, as everything has to go through PR before anyone is fired. Jordan alleged a salary disparity and a hostile work environment, stating that most employees who do the work do not get credit for promotions or raises. Raises were reportedly paid out to upper management at a time when they were told there was no money, prompting questions about how they could receive a $10,000 raise. Jordan even mentioned that his son, who graduated from the adult education program with honors, did not have his diploma signed by the individual who does the signing, unlike other graduates. A spokesman for the school stated that there are "established processes" in place to address all complaints. Following media coverage, LDCC sent Jordan an official letter notifying him of an investigation into alleged misconduct, citing "numerous grievances and written complaints" against him for "threatening to come after several employees, creating a hostile work environment, deliberate acts of humiliation and harassment intended to embarrass about their weight and underlying health conditions, inflicting emotional distress, and infringing upon their rights to a discrimination-free and harassment-free work environment." Jordan has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Samantha Jordan had already received a letter in December informing her that her response to a letter of termination sent by the school was investigated and "found nothing untoward or unjustified" regarding their decision to terminate her. Robert and Samantha Jordan are pillars of the Black community, successful in their own right, and generous in giving back to the community. Jordan is an automotive instructor at Louisiana Delta Community College, credited with putting Delta on the map with the automotive class, which has received national acclaim. His wife Samantha turned around an adult education class at the Bastrop school, where the graduation rate had hit historic lows. She was able to increase the graduation rate in nine months, something that had not been achieved in over seven years. People don't usually get fired or terminated for achieving such results. Change is needed.

Photo - LA Delta Community College