Kent State University announced on Monday that it will close its LGBTQ+ Center, Women’s Center and Multicultural Center at the end of June.
The university said it is closing several identity-based centers in order to comply with the new state law.
“Getting rid of those types of environments is very dangerous and damaging to our students’ want to participate in college life,” said Faith Stephenson, a rising third-year student.
Stephenson said she’s prepared to face a new reality during the remainder of her time at Kent State University.
The rising third-year student said she would visit these safe spaces to find support both personally and academically as a Computer Engineering Technology major.
“It’s difficult to not see people who look like you,” said Stephenson.
But now, she and Nica Delgado said they fear what these eliminations could mean for future students.
“It’s devastating, especially because the multicultural center and the Women's Center and the LGBTQ Center, they were part of the reasons why I made it through college,” said Delgado.
KSU said that while the centers themselves will close, the E. Timothy Moore Center and the Williamson House, home of the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services, will remain available for students with guidelines that are still being developed.
“To not have a place where you know you can go on campus, it's not something I've ever had to experience, and I am afraid for the students who have to experience it,” said Delgado.
In addition to the closure of the identity-based centers, the university's LGBTQ+ Living-Learning Community will also be discontinued.
“I'm also directly affected by the lack of the LGBTQIA+ LLC - it's the main reason I went to Kent, and now it's gone," Chloe Ripoli said.
The university said that all other academically based Living-Learning Communities will continue within its residence hall system.
"We understand these centers and the Living-Learning Community have been powerful sources of connection, support and growth, and we acknowledge the emotional and personal impact this change may have on many members of our community," the university said in an email to students and staff.
The university's Stark Campus will also discontinue its LGBTQ Resource Center; however, the space will remain available as a general resource room.
The centers are set to close June 27, the university said.
With the changes coming, the university said it plans to offer personalized guidance for students, provide support for all student organizations and continue to foster a welcoming environment.
"While change is difficult, our mission remains the same: to foster a campus where every student feels a sense of belonging, has space to learn about themselves and others, and can build the community they desire to live, learn and grow in. We will continue to work with our students, staff, faculty and alumni to identify additional ways to support our students," the university said.
Numerous other universities across Ohio have also made the decision to close identity-based centers and suspend certain programs in order to comply with S.B. 1, Ohio's new higher education law, which State Senator Jerry Cirino sponsored.
“They are making the necessary changes not only to be in compliance with S.B. 1, but also to be in compliance with federal regulations as well,” said Cirino.
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S.B. 1, which was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in late March, overhauls Ohio's higher education system by banning diversity initiatives, limiting how "controversial topics" can be taught, and eliminating tenure.
RELATED: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs controversial college overhaul bill banning DEI
“This bill is about more free speech, not less of it, and it does not constrain academic freedom,” said Cirino.
But KSU alumnus Isabella Arbutina said she feels these cuts do more harm than good.
“I feel like those are groups, especially as a woman, that are needed, because those are groups that might feel a lot more vulnerable,” said Arbutina.
We reached out to KSU, and they have yet to get back to us.
