BUZZ
Center directs trans students to scholarships, housing accommodations
Kansas State University is closing its LGBT Spectrum Center at the end of this month following a new state law targeting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives.
“With thoughtful consideration and deep respect for our community, I write to inform you that the Spectrum Center will cease operations effective July 31,” Dean of Students Thomas Lane announced Wednesday in a message to the campus community.
The center, which opened in 2010, has provided “connection, advocacy and education” for LGBT students, he stated.
Lane also told the community that “the center has contributed significantly to K-State’s national recognition as a campus that values LGBTQ+ students.”
“Our calling now is helping ensure the reassuring spirit of welcome the center offered permeates beyond its Holton Hall location and is felt throughout our campus and community,” he stated.
Although the center’s dedicated physical location is no longer operational, the Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs will continue to support all students, the dean stated.
Further, he stated that staff throughout the division will still work closely with student organization leaders and members, faculty, staff, and alumni supporters “to ensure that every student feels seen, supported and valued at K-State.”
The Spectrum Center’s website displays a “Trans and Gender Identity Resources” page informing trans-identifying students that there is financial support, housing accommodations, name change support, scholarships, and more available specifically for them on campus.
The center also offers similar resources to students who identify as part of the “LGB Community.”
“Policies and procedures at Kansas State University acknowledge the fluidity of gender identity, affirm the broader and overlapping identities of our students, and as a community we seek to support and advocate for the individual’s wishes in use of pronouns, names, photo identification, and options in housing, athletics, and many other aspects of campus life,” the center’s website states.
In his message, Lane did not say why the school decided to close the center.
However, the Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 125 in March, targeting DEI initiatives at state universities.
Under the new law, all state agencies must abolish any positions, policies, preferences, and activities pertaining to DEI.
In addition, the law requires state agencies to remove “gender identifying pronouns or gender ideology from email signature blocks on state employee’s [sic] email accounts and any other form of communication.”
As a result, the University of Kansas announced Tuesday that all staff must remove gender pronouns from their email signatures, The College Fix previously reported.
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IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Kansas State University Spectrum Center website with ‘closed’ sign; Kansas State University
