The Office of Diversity & Equity works to create a more representative, equitable, and inclusive KU; where fairness, care, and belonging are better integrated into our learning and workplace practices; and all people have opportunities to meet their academic and professional goals. We strive to acknowledge our varied backgrounds, experiences, and cultures in the learning and engagement resources we provide. Please consider a gift to one of the following areas:
New Space for the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
The University of Kansas Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity (SGD) promotes an inclusive campus community by providing social justice-based education, resources, programming, and support for students, staff, and faculty across the spectrums of gender and sexuality, with an emphasis on intersectional experiences. The Center is also a physical gathering space for our LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty to feel safe and respected on the KU campus in Lawrence.
The Center will be relocating to a newly constructed space in the Kansas Memorial Union as its current lease will expire at the end of this academic year. The planned space will offer increased square footage and the ability for Center staff to have offices within the same area, which is currently not possible. We are excited about the possibilities this new space brings and hope you will consider a donation to assist with the cost of construction.
Colors of KU Social Justice Retreat
Colors of KU is a three-day social justice retreat designed for students to build leadership, organizational, and other skills, with a focus on equity and inclusion. This program encourages participants to foster respect, appreciation, and understanding throughout their experiences at the university as well as in any leadership positions they might hold. With its beginning in 2000, the program has now become a tradition at KU. Its curriculum has evolved from focusing on diversity to advancing social justice, helping students understand their identities and positionality so they can in turn contribute to creating a better world.
The retreat includes approximately 50-60 participants each year who are organized into smaller family groups that allow for more intimate conversations. The effective facilitation of these family groups depends on staff and faculty facilitators who have each completed 8-10 hours of training. Over the last 20 years, this has included 100-150 facilitators. The actual cost of Colors of KU is $250 per student. However, students are asked to pay only $15, and no one is turned away due to their inability to pay. With your help, we can continue to provide this unique opportunity at an accessible cost for students.
