By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
In line with new state mandates, Fort Hays State University is dismantling Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices.
Those changes have affected funding for some student groups, dictated what types of events those groups can host, and forced them to scrub key language from their mission statements.
According to the Kansas Reflector, state lawmakers effectively ended DEI practices in state government and universities with Aug. 1 as the compliance deadline.
Kansas Secretary of Administration, Adam Proffitt, confirmed that all DEI-related positions, programs, trainings, grants and contracts were eliminated.
The Associated Press reported on Aug. 14 that a federal judge in Maryland struck down two Trump administration Education Department memos that threatened schools and universities with the loss of federal funding if they continued DEI programs.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher ruled that the Education Department violated the law when it tried to impose sweeping anti-DEI restrictions without proper rulemaking.
Scott Cason, FHSU's chief communications officer, provided the following statement:
"Fort Hays State University has taken the necessary steps to ensure we fully comply with federal and state law and the guidance we received from the Kansas Board of Regents in this area," he said.
Cason provided a document from the Board of Regents, which provides guidance for state universities to comply with the 2025 Senate Bill 125. This bill mandates the elimination of positions, programs and policies related to DEI across state agencies.
The guidance also emphasized that federal and state antidiscrimination laws, academic freedom, research, curricula and programs open to all students are not restricted.
Julie Grabbe, FHSU's legal counsel and university culture strategist, said the university has been eliminating state-funded activities related to DEI.
"We're doing an entire audit. We're looking at everything because the law is very broad in general," she said. "There's a lot of confusion about the law... the legislature didn't define diversity [in Senate Bill 125]."
The guidance provided by the board of regents also states that the bill does not define what DEI is. Grabbe said, despite the changes, student organizations were already open to anyone interested in joining.
"We are working hard to keep the university compliant, while at the same time recognizing that we want our students to feel like they belong here," she said.
Grabbe said students and organizations with questions or concerns are welcome to contact her directly.
FHSU Black Student Union
Star Parham, president of the FHSU Black Student Union, said her group was required to remove DEI terminology from its bylaws and event descriptions.
"We were going to have a guest speaker this past year, but that was during the heat of pushing back and getting rid of DEI. That speaker was no longer able to come out of fear that our funds that we were receiving at that time would not be able to be used for that exact event," Parham said.
Despite these obstacles, Parham said she remains committed to its mission and finding strength in adversity. Upcoming events for the student group include a Black History Month banquet in February, which could still face uncertainty.
Genesis Wilson, vice president of the Black Student Union, said DEI restrictions have affected student groups as funding and approvals now hinge on avoiding DEI language.
Wilson said events and posters have needed to be reworded, and the group of about 15 to 25 is discussing potentially making significant changes to how they present themselves and where they meet.
"Black Student Union is very concerned that we're going to have to A: change the meaning of our club or B: move off of campus," she said.
Wilson said the club has always been inclusive from the start, as a diverse group of active members is involved in celebrating Black culture and excellence. However, it now needs to reframe that messaging and advertise itself as open to everyone.
"We have to stop talking about DEI, but we're the Black Student Union, and that's what our biggest point of contention is. How are we supposed to take all this wording out when this is what we are and what we do?" she said.
Parham said DEI creates environments where students of all backgrounds feel welcome and protected, and, no matter what, there will always be something for everyone at FHSU.
"As a student at Fort Hays, I have felt both supported and like I was in the midst of what's going on. As time goes on, things may get harder, but there's plenty of student organizations on campus that are gonna keep fighting," she said.
FHSU Student Government Association and funding
Wilson said neither the university nor FHSU Student Government Association has been clear in providing guidance.
The government association serves as the representative body for students, advocating on their behalf to the administration, the Kansas Legislature and the Board of Regents.
Student senators manage funding sources that support student-led projects and opportunities on campus.
Wilson said the annual hair care event workshop, hosted by the Black Student Union, received no funding for the first time, as it was marked as "personal gain" despite its broader benefits.
"They didn't think it was inclusive enough for everyone because it's curly hair-focused. We talk about protective hairstyles for Black people... But in reality, our prizes we give out work for a lot of different hair types, and non-Black people have curly hair," she said.
Wilson said although campus faculty support DEI initiatives, the support feels insufficient without funding and actions. One strategy the Black Student Union has used is partnering with other student organizations through events.
In March, Wilson gave a presentation through the FHSU's American Democracy Project, a nonpartisan group, highlighting the need for DEI initiatives in various institutions, including education, the workforce and the everyday lives of minorities.
SEE RELATED STORY: FHSU hosts presentation on importance of DEI
Wilson also said the university has removed a DEI webpage that listed student organizations and resources.
FHSU Hispanic American Leadership Organization
Karina Vargas, Hispanic American Leadership Organization president, says the group has updated its mission statement and communications to avoid restricted DEI terminology.
The student-led organization is a group dedicated to supporting the Hispanic community at FHSU and the local area, participating in civic events, and serving as a support system for those with Latin backgrounds.
"We are not allowed to use some words. For example, diversity, we couldn't include that in our mission statement," Vargas said.
She said the group's old mission statement referenced diversity but now emphasizes inclusivity for all.
"We do promote awareness of our culture and heritage, but we couldn't put [we pledge to increase diversity]," she said. "It's kind of a red flag."
Vargas said members in her group were shocked and discouraged when the DEI restrictions began to roll in, not expecting them to affect them as directly as they did, but she added there were no funding cuts to the organization.
The group consists of about 30 to 40 members. Vargas said DEI matters to her because it helps minorities and first-generation students feel welcome and supported in predominantly white higher-education spaces.
"Even with these new policies, we're gonna do our best to make students feel included and make their voices feel heard," she said.
Vargas said despite the changes, she still feels supported by the school, as each group has its own adviser.
"I feel like Fort Hays does a really good job with such a broad and diverse group of students on campus. It's their job to make students feel welcomed and connected," Vargas said.
FHSU Gender & Sexuality Alliance
The guidance from the Board of Regents also included the removal of gender pronouns or gender ideology from employee email signatures and communications.
FHSU Gender & Sexuality Alliance President Anabeth Ratzlaff declined to comment on the board’s pronoun guidance but said the group has been affected in multiple ways by the DEI changes.
"Funding has been a challenge in the past when it comes to things that we as a club need," Ratzlaff said.
Ratzlaff said a lavender graduation, a university ceremony honoring the academic achievements and contributions of graduating LGBTQIA+ students, was one event that had to be modified.
Ratzlaff said the event’s flyer had to undergo numerous changes, ultimately stripping the ceremony of its intended purpose. The flyer was shared on the group’s social media, but without its usual rainbow that symbolizes LGBTQ+ pride.
"There is a sense of worry since there is not much certainty when it comes to the future of our club on campus. Not only for our club but also the individuals that make campus their home," Ratzlaff said.
The 22-member group has sought support from other campus organizations that may also be affected. Ratzlaff noted the situation is not FHSU’s fault, but rather stems from the current political climate and the restrictions the university must follow to continue educating future generations.
Ratzlaff added even before the recent DEI-related changes, the university had already experienced shifts, such as the removal of signs outside teacher offices that once indicated specialized training and identified the space as supportive for students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.
"DEI is important at the university level because it helps promote collaboration between different people and helps form a community for students," Ratzlaff said. "It helps form bonds between students, staff and even community members that will last years."