EDITORS NOTE:
In order to protect the anonymity of Kennesaw State Administration who chose to hold this meeting, Managing Editor Zaire Breedlove decided to keep names out of the article.
On March 31 of the 2025 Spring Semester, Kennesaw State University (KSU) announced plans to restructure identity-based clubs and centers across campus. Among the major changes is a shift in focus for the Global Village, previously centered on international identities.
“We are no longer allowed to have centers based on identities. It is not allowed,” a KSU official said during an April 3 meeting.
These changes are tied to anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) legislation from the Department of Education (DOE) passed during the spring semester, stemming from a directive under President Donald Trump. The DOE warned universities nationwide that failure to comply with the guidelines could result in the loss of federal funding, which could lead to KSU’s closure.
“We can go up and give middle fingers and say no to this all we want, but if we do, we have to take into account all the students who will not be able to return to KSU next semester,” a KSU official said. “Over half of our student population would not be able to come back.”
The Global Village will shift its focus to serve out-of-state students, including international students, to avoid penalties from the DOE. However, this change has sparked outrage among students.
“It is important we get this money, it goes into financial aid and people getting paid, but at what point will you people say ‘this is a threat to our students’?” one student asked during the meeting.
Juan-Pablo Guzman, a student, expressed his gratitude towards community centers like the Hispanic and Latina Outreach and Leadership in Academics (HOLA) lounge and the Global Village through his story.
“I just transferred to KSU this semester. I just transferred from Birmingham, Alabama. The first friends I made in this university are from two places: The HOLA lounge, and the Global Village… That’s one of the great things about these places- they have very unique identities and are unique in their missions as well.”
The changes are set to take effect in the Fall 2025 semester, with an official announcement expected once the plans are finalized. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are not affected by the new guidelines.
State-level legislation may also shape how these changes are interpreted. Although Senate Bill 120, which proposed banning “special treatment” based on sexuality, race, gender, or ethnicity, died in committee, its provisions have been added to HB 127, originally intended to address teacher sick leave.
KSU officials expressed a desire to maintain the existing structure of clubs and centers but stated that federal guidelines prevent them from doing so. They also noted they “cannot guarantee” these changes will ever be reversed due to current political conditions.
Services for students will remain, but they will no longer be identity-specific and will instead adopt a neutral framework, according to KSU officials.
No university employees, including Federal Work-Study students, will lose their jobs due to these changes. However, job roles will be adjusted to align with the DOE’s anti-DEI directives.
Funding for the restructured Global Village center will remain the same, although the budget for international meals is still uncertain.
Some students are exploring ways to privately fund the Global Village to preserve its original mission. Others are considering transitioning its purpose to an RSO or finding other legal alternatives.
When asked if KSU would assist students facing encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), administrators said they plan to announce their approach “very soon.”
The Sentinel will continue to report updates on these changes and their impact on KSU’s community centers.
Please contact the Editor-In-Chief, Devyn Woodard at dwooda11@students.kennesaw.edu
Or Managing Editor, Zaire Breedlove at zbreedl1@students.kennesaw.edu
