Navigating University Spaces, Policies and Procedures

The right to freedom of speech, guaranteed by First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allows individuals to express themselves without government interference. As a public university, K-State is a government agency and is not allowed to interfere with individual expression, except for certain very narrow exceptions.

Fundamental to the First Amendment is that free speech is for everyone. It is nonpartisan in nature, ensuring that whoever is in power does not get to decide what is or is not allowed — that is censorship. At times, there is an understandable instinct to protect University community members from words that hurt, insult or offend. But history has taught us that censorship is used almost always to restrict and harm the most vulnerable, most powerless and the most marginalized in our society. With this in mind, K-State is committed to fostering an environment of free expression for all viewpoints.

That said, free speech does not mean that all expressions are allowed at all times. K-State may, and does, restrict speech that is threating, incites violence or other illegal activity, or that seriously disrupts campus operations. The University also has several policies regulating the time, place and manner of speech so as not to disrupt normal campus activities, like the academic classrooms.

What can be done when free speech becomes "hate speech"?

There are many actions that the University and campus community can take to respond to hurtful speech. The University imposes several viewpoint-neutral and reasonable time, place and manner restrictions to where, when and how speech can occur on campus. The University also prohibits and punishes discrimination, violence, vandalism and other criminal conduct. View the policies page for more information.

Perhaps the most important thing members of our university community can do to counter hate speech is empower one another to engage in expression of views in a respectful manner. Leading by example and engaging in difficult but civil discourse about issues important to us sets the tone for a respectful environment for all.

• Learn more about opportunities to engage in civil discourse on a variety of topics.
• Discover policies and guidance and the support resources available to you.

Free speech and expressive activity on campus

Learn more about your First Amendment rights, what free speech is, what kinds of speech are prohibited, and what resources are available to you here.

Gender markers on legal documents differ from state to state. As of July 2023, legislative changes mean that Kansas courts and administrative agencies are not currently allowing gender marker changes on state-issued documents or identification. Litigation over this is currently ongoing.

For additional legal documentation, individuals are encouraged to investigate their options within the legalities of name and/or gender marker changes. A comprehensive resource can be found here.

As a University, we are working to make these changes less of an obstacle by adopting best practices that involve elimination of gender identification on particular documents. Additional options outside of the binary designation of Male and Female are also being utilized to better help our students express themselves appropriately. Please contact the Spectrum Center or Office of Student Support and Accountability to learn more about how we can help to address gender markers for students identifying in the spectrum of gender identity.

Gender Inclusive Housing

Kansas State University Housing and Dining Services is committed to serving the transgender and non-binary community and creating an inclusive environment. Housing and Dining works closely with us to support student housing needs. Under the philosophy that there is not a “one size fits all” approach for transgender and non-binary students, we work with individual students to find housing options that best fit their needs. Please contact us and/or housing@ksu.edu to contact us to discuss further.

If you would like to request a gender inclusive housing arrangement, please fill out this survey. Their staff will contact you to help support you in choosing housing that fits your needs.

K-State First CAT Communities

K-State First CAT Communities are designed around student interests and offer mentoring from a professor and an advanced undergraduate Learning Assistant who shares the students' interests. They are an ideal place for students to meet each other, study together, and build a community of supportive peers. The CAT Communities offer options that respect student’s sexuality and gender identity, in addition to more academic interests. Some of the CAT Communities also include courses connected to the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies department, where you can explore how we are shaped by the major interlocking institutions of difference: gender/sexuality, "race"/ethnicity, class, and global inequality. For more information on these opportunities, please explore the K-State First CAT Community program. Reach out to their team at kstatefirst@ksu.edu if you'd like to explore CAT Community or First-Year Seminar options!

Primary and Preferred: Kansas State University offers students the option of a primary name field and a preferred name field in the Kansas State Student Information System (KSIS) identification for the majority of University administrative and academic purposes. The basic preferred name change can be accomplished by submitting the Name Change Form to the Office of the Registrar. The University does attempt to use the Preferred name field for administrative and educational purposes in respect of the student's wishes. However, for legal documents pertaining to a student's academic information, financial aid, etc. the Primary name field in KSIS is used. As an option for enhanced privacy for the student there is the option to work with the Spectrum Center and Office of Student Life to process the Primary/Preferred Name form, both in person and on-line, through the Registrar and to advocate for the student's preferred name to be used on documents for the purpose of respect for the individual's transition process.

NEW: Chosen Name Policy (PPM Chapter 3077)

Primary Legal Notification: Students who have had their legal name change on their state identification can change their information using the Name Change Form. The Spectrum Center works closely with New Student Services, Office of the Registrar, Office of Student Financial Assistance, and Housing and Dining to ensure that name and gender affirmation on University documentation is reflective of the student's identity. Legal services in the Manhattan area can be recommended by the Resource Center for students wishing to pursue changes in their legal identification.

• Adult Name Change - Kansas
  • Visit the State of Kansas Judicial Council website for access to required forms, FAQs, and other important information regarding name changes in the state of Kansas.
• ID Documents Center - NCTE
  • One-stop hub for name and gender change information as provided by the National Center for Transgender Equality. Find out how to update your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records.

Kansas State University will maintain academic, housing, and work environments that are free of discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), and retaliation. Read the university's full Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment, and Procedure for Reviewing Complaints, PPM 3010. The policy defines discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment (sexual violence, domestic and dating violence, and stalking).

K-State uses an Administrative Review Team (ART) to investigate and resolve complaints. The team consists of:

• An Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) staff member; and
• A responsible administrator.

The OIE responds to reports and complaints or concerns about discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information and military or veteran status. OIE also responds to complaints of retaliation, stalking and dating/domestic violence.

OIE staff interview individuals who report discrimination or harassment, organize an ART to evaluate the report and determine how to resolve the report.

If an investigation is warranted, the ART may prepare a complaint, inform the respondent, interview witnesses and obtain relevant documents, decide whether discrimination or harassment has occurred, and recommend appropriate sanctions and corrective actions, if necessary. Learn more at the Office of Institutional Equity site.

The Spectrum Center works to advance the acknowledgement and need for gender neutral or all gender restrooms so all campus community members can be and feel safe when choosing to use a restroom on campus. Please keep an eye out for future changes as campus continues to renovate existing facilities and open new buildings.

The restrooms listed in the link above are single-stall/lockable doors. The list consists of “family” “Unisex” “Women” and “Men”.

What do I do if I am harassed/bullied/physically harmed in the campus restrooms?

If you are in need of medical assistance due to injury call or need police assistance please call 911 immediately. If you are not in immediate need of medical attention or intervention, report an incident to Student Support and Accountability, located on the first floor of Holton Hall or by email at studentsupport@ksu.edu or visiting their website. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact Counseling Services at the Lafene Health Center or phone 785-532-6927 and speak directly with a counselor.

What do I do if I witness harassment/violence against another student in the restroom?

If you witness bullying/harassment against a student you can either call the Office of Student Support and Accountability at 785-532-6432 or fill out a Student of Concern form.

Why are Gender-Neutral restrooms important?

Gender-Neutral/All Gender Restrooms are important to students who may not identify with a traditional gender binary. These students may be Trans* or gender fluid. It is important to treat everyone with respect and kindness. Often when someone who identifies as Trans* uses a restroom that does not fit a gender binary definition, they are put at risk for harassment and assault. By having more accessible restrooms available on campus, we are building safety and acceptance for all students.

If you are struggling or know someone who is struggling, please consider exploring further resources to help connect them with support. It is okay if you are not sure how to respond to someone in crisis, but what is not okay is not telling anyone. We expect all members of our community to report concerns, even if they seem minor. Do not assume someone else has already reported the concern or notified the university. Explore more information here.

New and returning students can have a K-State photo identification card re-issued with their name as it appears in the preferred field on the student's KSIS system and a new photo taken at the request of the student, free of charge, and with a new photo taken.

Kansas State University upholds the Principles of Community for all students, staff, faculty and community members.

The University is also held to the standards of the education policies of the State of Kansas and the U.S. Dept. of Education. Notably, the federal Dept. of Education has begun to clarify many existing policies in acknowledgment of the increasing awareness of gender identities and sexualities. In particular, Title IX clarifications have been released that expressly address trans* identified individuals and communities.

If you have any questions about your rights and/or the responsibilities of the University, please contact us at the Spectrum Center, or reach out to the Office of Student Support and Accountability, or the Office of Institutional Equity.