The Northern Michigan University chapter of the American Association of University Professors has released a letter in full support of Queers and Allies with regard to the DEI cuts announced in late September. The letter was released Thursday night by the NMU-AAUP/AFT Committee on Outreach and Organization and reads and stated that the committee:

“1. affirms its full support for the Queers & Allies student organization and its right to
equitable access to funding, resources, and recognition on campus;
2. supports reviewing and reversing the University funding and endorsement denial,
ensuring that the decision-making process is applied with consistency, with
ideological neutrality, and in accordance with non-discrimination policy at the
University, state, and federal levels;
3. supports establishing transparent oversight mechanisms for student organization
funding decisions;
4. reaffirms its commitment to nondiscrimination for all University stakeholders.”

The NMU meeting in late September saw university administrators announce they would stop funding any affinity organization’s unique graduations, like Lavender Graduation; restrict celebratory and heritage months and days to only be celebrated on those months and days; make changes to SFC funding for student groups and more.

“We want to first thank NMU’s AAUP Committee for releasing a statement in support of us and Lavender Graduation, we really appreciate the vocal support we have received thus far this semester,” said Queers and Allies.

“In light of everything going on in the world, it’s wonderful to know that the importance of our events and efforts are not going unnoticed by our faculty and staff. For our community, it is hard to separate yourself from being queer/trans and being a student, they often run hand-in-hand. It can be especially difficult to make that separation in such an isolating environment [as] Northern can be; it’s even harder if our university doesn’t recognize the importance of a university-sponsored event such as Lavender Graduation. This ceremony not only recognizes the efforts made in finishing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or a master’s degree, but the efforts in staying and aiding in making Northern the inclusive place it prides itself in being and advertises itself as such.”

Lavender Graduation will be held Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Recital Hall. Queers and Allies will be hosting the graduation with no help from the university. Queers and Allies asks those graduating in December who are interested in receiving a lavender cord to fill out this form: https://forms.gle/anTaPtr6sL1qB9me8.

“As Queers and Allies, we’ve heard from many about the want/need to transfer out to a more accepting university/city and that the beauty of Marquette and Northern is not worth sticking through the cold, wintry environment,” said Queers and Allies. “We’ve seen the toll it takes on [students] weathering those decisions and the effect that finding one’s place within Northern has on our peers.

We’ve experienced the same ourselves. In my experience, it was through sticking around another year that helped me understand where I truly wanted to be. Throughout my time at Northern, I’ve made wonderful connections and friendships, gained lifelong skills through the best job I’ve had and grown through my leadership experiences in Queers & Allies …. We deserve a university [that] will honor its students and their achievements no matter one’s identity. There’s a reason we all picked Northern; it’s up to the university to prove to us that we made the right choice.”

Administrators at the September meeting said there would be another meeting on this subject when the new NMU president was picked. With Chris Olsen taking office as the next NMU president this coming winter semester, that meeting may be coming soon.