Dear NKU community,
I am writing to share with our entire campus community an important update about a new Kentucky law and our institution’s response to it.
Many of you have followed the events in Frankfort regarding Kentucky House Bill 4, which prohibits a wide range of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public universities. After weeks of debate, committee hearings, and legislative votes, and despite Governor Beshear’s veto, the General Assembly gave final approval of the bill on March 27.
House Bill 4 is now law, and NKU will make the necessary changes to ensure we comply with the law. Many of those changes are described below.
But I will begin by sharing what will not change. Every NKU student, from every population and walk of life, is a cherished member of our caring community. And all of our staff and faculty are valued members who create a special familial community where everyone can do their best work with and for our students. The learning and discovery that happens here will continue. Our shared mission and joy – the success of our students – will continue. And we know that students are most successful when they feel a genuine sense of belonging here in our midst. As we move forward together, I want every NKU student to know that there is a place for you and people who care about you on our campus. And I am grateful for the many dedicated faculty and staff who make it so.
As we turn to these new legal requirements, here’s what you need to know:
Changes to Campus Offices and Programs
- Center for Student Inclusiveness → Center for Community and Connections
The Center for Student Inclusiveness (CSI) will be repurposed as the Center for Community and Connections. Our incredibly talented and dedicated CSI staff will continue to be a valued resource and partner for all students on campus, and going forward, their programming and efforts will be directed to the entire student community, including first-generation college students. As we make this transition, effective on May 12, 2025, the departments within the existing Center—African American Student Initiatives, Latino Student Initiatives and LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives—will be dissolved.
- Student and Community-Led Initiatives
Orientation, graduation celebrations, and mentoring programs such as NKU ROCKS, LAMP, Karibu, SHEREHE, and the Lavender Graduation will no longer be run by university offices, beginning on May 12, 2025 (after spring commencement). Instead, student organizations, either individually or collaboratively, may identify opportunities to continue these activities as student-led efforts. This is an opportunity for student leaders to step forward, create meaningful experiences, and continue fostering mentorship, engagement, and community. I look forward to seeing our students take an active role in shaping the future of these kinds of important traditions. As a reminder, most registered student organizations must remain open to all NKU students.
- Scholarships
The Educational Diversity and Access Scholarship will be renamed the Educational Access and Success Scholarship and will continue to be awarded without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or religion. Going forward, NKU and the NKU Foundation will not be able to accept funds for or make awards from scholarships that include consideration of those characteristics. We will identify alternative sources of funding for current eligible students who have already received those awards, so that those students are not negatively affected by this change.
- Inclusive Excellence Council → Campus Community Council
Effective on May 12, 2025, the Inclusive Excellence Council will be repurposed and reformed as the Campus Community Council. In the coming weeks, I will offer the new council’s charge to align with the upcoming strategic plan’s priorities and invite interested faculty and staff to participate. Once the membership is finalized, a leader will be selected. This Council will focus on matters important to all employees, including recruitment and retention initiatives, campus operations, employee morale, and wellness. The existing Inclusive Excellence Council, as well as the various inclusive excellence and diversity/DEI committees established in individual colleges and offices will dissolve or be repurposed.
- Affinity Groups
All employee affinity groups previously recognized by the university will no longer receive university funding or preferential access to other university resources, effective on May 12, 2025. As always, employees may associate as individuals however they wish. But the activities of those associations will not be part of any university role or employee responsibility. Alumni groups other than the NKU Alumni Council will be dissolved as well.
- Diversity Training
The university will not sponsor, fund, or require DEI training that promotes differential treatment based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.
Campus Functions That Are Not Affected by House Bill 4
- Academic Course Content, Instruction and Research
The new Kentucky law does not directly impact our courses, the content of faculty research or general programs directed to the campus and/or community audiences. General education and programs, classroom discussion and academic research activities that explore topics of importance to our society – including race, sex, national origin and religion – will continue. In fact, a college campus is precisely where we must be free to explore and express different viewpoints and think critically as learners.
- Student and Student Organization Activities
The new Kentucky law includes broad protections for the activities of our students and student organizations, including those expressive activities guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Much work will occur in the coming months, both to ensure that we are following the law and that we are addressing the questions and concerns raised within our campus community. I will work closely with the shared governance bodies, Cabinet, Deans’ Council, and the Council of Chairs in this effort.
Many of you may have questions about the new law and its implications for other activities not addressed in this message. Please send those questions to President@NKU.EDU, and the appropriate person will reach out to discuss them with you promptly.
These are challenging decisions and times; yet our mission of student access and success has never been more essential. It is my sincere hope that we can reimagine a way to build connections across our students and colleagues in new and still meaningful ways, learning from one another about our various differences and similarities. I believe in the strength, dedication, and impact of the people of Northern Kentucky University. We will navigate these challenges together.
Best Regards,
Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
President, Northern Kentucky University
