Identity of Speakers
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n/a
Student
Other
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Right wing -
Incident Responses:
University administration changed university policy as a consequence
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
The University of Kansas has instructed all faculty, staff, and student employees to remove gender-identifying pronouns from their email signatures and other university communications by July 31, 2025. This directive aligns with a Kansas Board of Regents policy requiring state universities to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) positions, programs, policies, trainings, and gender-related identifiers from official communications and digital platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, Chief Academic Officer Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, and Chief Health Sciences Officer Steve Stites emphasized compliance with the directive in a joint message and assured employees that Information Technology services would assist with removing pronoun fields from websites and email accounts.
The policy has sparked debate on campus and in the wider community. Supporters say it complies with state law and promotes neutrality in official communications. However, opponents argue that removing pronouns erodes inclusivity and harms marginalized communities, particularly transgender and nonbinary individuals. Some students worry the move could make KU feel less welcoming and inclusive, especially for LGBTQ+ people, and could harm student recruitment and retention.
Students also expressed frustration that they were not consulted about the policy. KU’s Student Senate president said the directive “really made it clear how little student voices are considered.” Another student leader said the change sent a message that LGBTQ+ students are “not welcome here.” The Lawrence KS Times described the policy as part of a broader push to “boot DEI” efforts and remove gender-diverse language from university platforms.
