Northern Kentucky University’s Student Government Association (SGA) is inviting students to a rally opposing legislation which seeks to dismantle universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
SGA is providing transportation for any student wanting to travel to the Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky on Thursday, Feb. 29. Those students traveling to the Capitol will depart via bus from the Student Union circle at 11 a.m. on Thursday morning. All students interested in riding the bus should register here.
NKU’s student government is joining in on the rally along with other Kentucky universities like University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University and others.
Tyana Rasberry, chairwoman of student rights and advocacy for SGA, is heading up the event. SGA’s goal is simply to give all students the opportunity to exercise their right to assemble, Rasberry said.
The two bills being opposed are Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 9. Senate Bill 6 would prohibit public university students, staff or faculty from endorsing any such “discriminatory concept,” including political or social ideologies like privilege or discomfort based on one’s race or sex. House Bill 9 is more sweeping and would dismantle public universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion offices and mandatory training. The House bill would also restrict religion, race, sex, color or national origin from being a factor in a student’s admission or scholarship eligibility.
SGA released a statement regarding the pieces of legislation on Feb. 27, voicing their dissatisfaction with the bills. “Not only do we oppose the bills, but we view them as a direct contradiction to Northern Kentucky’s Success by Design plan,” SGA wrote.
“With a university that has had a decreasing minority student population over the last few years, we must do everything in our power to stop these bills from implementation to retain our current students and continue to attract a diverse population of students from around the world,” the statement read.
NKU President Cady Short-Thompson mentioned the bills in a university email on Feb. 20. “…I know many in our community are concerned with much of the proposed legislation around DEI. I share those concerns. NKU is and will continue to be an inclusive community,” Short-Thompson wrote.
Along with the rally, SGA will be hosting “Victor Talks” on campus to further discuss anti-diversity, equity and inclusion legislation. The discussion will take place on March 20 from 3-4:30 p.m. in Student Union 109.