The Latinx Student Union [LSU] is facing a loss of university funding due to executive DEI orders, as Northern Michigan University navigates preemptive compliance.

“The university states they are too wary to provide funding to organizations that could be deemed ‘noncompliant’ with current executive DEI orders,” said Ava Ampeliotis, vice president of LSU. “We were told we have to follow strict guidelines for certain events, and our marketing materials must explicitly state who is invited and where the funding for the event came from. However, the university refuses to put in writing what these guidelines are or what is considered ‘noncompliant.’ Besides showing funding prominently, these are all things we as an organization have always done. We have never been exclusive, and now more than ever, we encourage anyone interested to join in on our meetings and come to our events.”

Last year, LSU received $500 from NMU but faced some challenges getting it after being approved, and they also received marketing materials from the university for recruitment. As NMU figures out what they can do, students are able to help LSU in the meantime.

“The best way to help is honestly just supporting the organizations that lost their funding, so when we have fundraisers or bake sales, if you want [to] help, come out and support,” Ampeliotis said. “I know we have some fundraising ideas in the near future, so things like that can always help us out as well. Our events and meetings have always been and will always be open to everyone. If you have any interest in what we do as an organization, our culture, want to share your culture or want to support us in any way, just show up.”

LSU members are hopeful for the future, but this situation has been frightening for students and has left them feeling a deep sense of injustice.

“It is honestly a really scary time right now, knowing that the school can and will just take things like this away from us with no consideration,” Ampeliotis said. “It feels incredibly unfair that this is only happening to the diversity organizations and that other organizations are completely in the clear while we sit here and basically fight for ourselves …. We have also been told some of the new building renovation plans recently, and those are costing the schools millions of dollars.

While it is exciting to see Northern grow into this beautiful place, it’s hard to see if Northern wants its students to really be a part of that growth sometimes, especially from the point of view of the diverse organizations. We aren’t asking for thousands of dollars or special treatment. We are asking for stickers to promote our clubs to incoming freshmen. We are asking to have a small ceremony honoring the different countries represented in the Wildcat family. We are asking for basic funds to function. The university cares a great deal about retention rates, yet they’re working against the very organizations that contribute to retention.”