In compliance with Kansas Laws House Bill 2105 and Senate Bill 125, which were passed in order to align with federal policy, Kansas State has removed the word ‘diversity’ from the official mission statement, according to the Kansas Board of Regents meeting agenda. It was suggested by KBOR that universities implement these changes by July 31, 2025, as per KBOR’s guidance to Kansas universities. 

“The modification is proposed to ensure the mission statement meets expectations outlined in Section 161 of Senate Bill 125, which the Kansas legislature passed and the governor signed into law in 2025, while keeping in mind the university’s mission of meeting the needs of all students,” according to KBOR. 

This comes on the heels of KBOR’s direction to comply with the laws in order to avoid earning hefty fines, according to the Kansas Legislative Research Department.

The Mission Statement will only be changed in the second sentence of the first paragraph, replacing the word ‘diversity’ with the word ‘all.’ According to the KBOR, it will now read, “The university embraces all, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.”

Michelle Geering, director of news and communications, said the meeting minutes from the KBOR agenda reflect the university’s official statement regarding the revision of the mission statement.

Many students feel shocked and tense about the changes, despite knowing that they were made in compliance with Kansas law. People are perplexed by the changes, Maria Velazco, multicultural affairs director for Student Governing Association, said.  

“There’s a lot of confusion as to why we have to eliminate certain wording when we’re not eliminating ourselves from certain spaces,” Velazco said. “People are confused and uncomfortable with the idea of having to rewrite things to be compliant with executive orders.”

While just a change of one word, many students are wary of the implications this and other institutional changes at K-State, due to state laws, could bring. 

“It will never be just a change in wording because changes in wording mean changes in everything,” Velazco said. “It’s getting rid of the ideas and concepts behind it, too. It raised many alarms for many people; however, it’s how we react to those changes that will determine how we move and show up for each other, especially when it comes to other multicultural students and organizations.” 

Brunealla Ishimwe, treasurer of the Black Student Union, shared similar sentiments of dismay.

“My first thought was fear, because [diversity is] one of the biggest things at K-State,” Ishimwe said. “We [multicultural students] may not be many in number, but they [the K-State community] have always uplifted us however they could. If it’s not getting in the language, that means it’s also limited in how we can receive support.” 

Ishimwe said many multicultural students chose K-State because of the support it offers, and the lack of statements from K-State on the sudden change is disappointing.

“All of a sudden, it’s not the same anymore,” Ishimwe said. “As much as we’re supposed to comply, I don’t think there was ever any clear verbiage from the university saying, ‘We’re doing this because we have to, not because we want to.’” 

Even with these changes, Velazco and Ishimwe emphasized how K-State has continued to assist students during this time.

“Faculty and administration have supported us through all the changes that are still happening,” Velazco said. “We would not have made it without them. Even though a lot of people are having a hard time finding refuge in all these changes, these are the people that made it possible to show up for each other.” 

As leaders in their organizations, both Ishwime and Velazco believe students should keep their courage and boldness even if they feel uneasy about the changes mandated by law. 

“I would say this to all students, but also to those who feel targeted; you are in your seat because you deserve it,” Ishimwe said. “You had to make your way into this institution and these classes, and for someone to come and tell you otherwise does not undermine anything you’ve done or anything you’ll do.”

Similarly, Velazco said the changes to the statement do nothing to diminish student presence.

“Even though we’re trying to stay compliant and follow the rules; even though we’re worried that in those changes we could be minimized or invisible, we will never be invisible. Even with the law, we are still here,” Velazco said.