Luther Hughes, Western Kentucky University’s associate vice president of enrollment management, announced his retirement earlier this month after a student said he sexually harassed her.

&#8220On Jan. 23, the student brought some concerns to university officials which were relayed to Dr. Hughes,” said Bob Edwards, vice president of University Relations. &#8220The university did an inquiry and subsequently Dr. Hughes tendered his notice of his intent to retire, and that was the remedy, basically, that the complainant was seeking.”

The student filed a formal complaint Feb. 23, Edwards said. She had initially hesitated to make the complaint formal, as formal complaints are accessible under Kentucky’s open records laws and the student wished to keep the matter confidential.

&#8220The resolution of the complaint remains the same,” he said. &#8220Dr. Hughes has retired and will not return to campus. He’ll continue to work from home through June 30.”

While at home, Hughes will work under the direction of Provost Barbara Burch, completing projects assigned by her and helping to ease the transition of his retirement. Edwards did not know how long Hughes has been employed by the university or what other positions he has held there.

The Daily News submitted an Open Records request for the complaint but has not received a response.

According to the College Heights Herald, in the complaint the student said Hughes acted inappropriately during a study trip to Central America during winter break. She said he tried to kiss her on the mouth, rubbed her leg, asked to hold her hand, bought her bathing suits and asked to watch her try them on, and made verbal advancements toward her.

Hughes could not be reached for comment this morning.

The university’s policy on sexual harassment, as written in the student handbook, is as follows: &#8220Management and supervisory personnel, at all levels, are responsible for taking reasonable and necessary action to prevent sexual harassment. All members of the University community, employees, and students are required to promptly report conduct that could be in violation of this policy.”

In the handbook, sexual harassment is defined as &#8220unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

Edwards said he didn’t know of any other complaints filed against Hughes.

&#8220I couldn’t comment on those if I did unless they were formal complaints, but there are no formal complaints that I’m aware of,” he said.

As far as the university is concerned, the matter is closed, Edwards said. An official statement from WKU indicates the same.

&#8220The University took appropriate steps to immediately address the matter and the student’s concerns,” the letter said. &#8220University officials will make no further statements concerning the matter.”