Resources

Spectrum Center

Human Resources

Kansas State University's greatest resource is its faculty and staff. Human Resources strives to provide excellence in recruiting, developing and retaining a diverse, highly qualified workforce. As the university's work changes, Human Resources continues to evolve to meet the needs of an ever-changing environment, supporting the needs of all employees, including faculty, unclassified professionals, support staff and students.

https://www.k-state.edu/hr/

Faculty/Staff Ombudsperson

At K-State an ombudsperson is an impartial faculty member or unclassified professional who serves as a resource to facilitate communication regarding concerns related to employment. The ombudsperson may also provide information about the grievance and appeal process and guide a grievant through the initial stages of a grievance. The ombudsperson assists faculty and unclassified professionals, including administrators, to provide information and facilitate communication.

https://www.k-state.edu/hr/employee-relations/dispute-resolution/ombudspersons.html

Student Belonging

At Kansas State University, you will find a commitment to promoting a welcoming environment in every sector of the university. Everyone is supported through multicultural programs, intercultural learning and academic success, & multicultural student life initiatives.

Student Belonging's mission is to provide leadership in buiding a supportive campus climate that promotes a sense of belonging for all K-State students, faculty, staff, and the greater campus community.

The office works with key units throughout the university, corporate sponsors, and communities across the State of Kansas to address issues and enhance all backgrounds by way of programming, student support, and advocacy.

https://www.k-state.edu/belonging/

Office of Access and Opportunity

Kansas State University has long maintained a demonstrable commitment to diversity and inclusion. Since 1863, as the nation’s first operational land-grant university, K-State has heralded “full educational privileges” with open enrollment to all students regardless of gender, race or creed. From the very beginning, our commitment to access, opportunity and success has remained unchanged.

We strive to be an institution of higher learning that values and champions the contributions, interests and narratives of diverse cultural and social groups. We prepare our students for global citizenry through an increased depth of understanding and critical examination of issues and topics along the diversity continuum. No matter your field of expertise or professional goals, K-State offers an unbeatable combination of opportunity and support. K-State has been recognized at the national level for our diversity and inclusion efforts. We also have a long history of offering institutional awards for diversity.

www.k-state.edu/access-opportunity

Updates, Guidance and Resources During the 2025 Federal Government Transition

As the federal government transitioned to new leadership in Washington D.C. this January, new executive orders and guidance have been issued that, in some cases, have already begun to affect areas of our university in real-time. In other cases, higher education institutions serving as stewards of federal funding have yet to be issued further guidance and clarification as to the full potential implications of these orders, leaving a void in which speculation can all too easily take hold.

K-State is committed to issuing timely updated guidance as it is confirmed with and verified by federal sources.

https://www.k-state.edu/2025-federal-transition/

Sexuality & Gender Alliance (SAGA)

SAGA is a welcoming and safe organization for those that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning or are an ally to our community. All students, faculty, and staff of K-State are welcome to attend along with community members! This organization is the longest running LGBT organization at K-State. Formerly known by other names throughout the years, our group host a wide array of events from education presentations, community building social activities, and lots of involvement with campus life.

Follow us on Instagram: @kstatesaga

https://www.k-state.edu/lgbt/lgbtqandallies/

Gender Collective

The Gender Collective is an organization designed to provide a venue for individuals who are transgender, cross-gender, intersex, androgynous, gender variant, or otherwise involved in activities, expressions, or presentation that is divergent from their birth-assigned sex. We come together to engage in outreach and educational efforts for the Kansas State University faculty, staff, and students and Manhattan community to promote a better understanding and acceptance of gender diversity, expression, and identity issues. Together we work in concert with University administration on ways to make campus a more accessible environment for individuals of varying gender identities. The Gender Collective also provides a social locus for above stated individuals.

Follow us on Instagram: @gendercollectiveksu

https://www.k-state.edu/lgbt/genderidentity/

Out in STEM (oSTEM)

Cultivating Change

The Cultivating Change Foundation Collegiate Chapter at K-State will serve as a common space for LGBTQ+ agriculturists and allies to come together. These efforts combined will empower LGBTQ+ agriculture students at K-State to advance the agriculture industry as a whole. The three co-advisors will serve as foundational support for program activities and advancing the mission of Cultivating Change.

https://orgcentral.k-state.edu/cultivatingchangekstate/web_officers

Athlete Allies

National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA)

The Kansas State University – Salina (“KSUS”) chapter of the National Gay Pilots Association (“NGPA”) serves as a safe environment for pilots and aviation enthusiasts of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community and its allies. In addition, this chapter also promotes safety and professionalism in the aviation community. The NGPA-KSUS enhances the mission of KSUS by generally promoting diversity and inclusion on campus.

Advisor: Jessica Johnson, jrjohnson@k-state.edu
Student Leader: Malachi Stenger-Zook, mstengerzook@k-state.edu

https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/clubs-organizations/

Flint Hills Human Rights Campaign (FHHRP)

UFM Queer Liberation Commons & Queer Closet

Queer Liberation Commons & Queer Closet
Host. Donate. Celebrate.

Allies and LGBTQ+ folx—check out UFM’s Queer Liberation Commons (QLC, pronounced “click”)! QLC is a space to gather, learn, and celebrate the queer community in Manhattan.

Host Your Event Here!
QLC is open for community events, workshops, and meetups. Plan your gathering in a welcoming space and check out the Queer Closet while you’re here!

Support the Queer Closet!
The Queer Closet provides gender-affirming clothing, apparel, and essential health products to those in need. While clothing donations are welcome, monetary donations are needed most to keep this resource sustainable.

How You Can Help

Donate funds to support the space & closet
Host an event in QLC
Spread the word to friends & allies

Contact: aliah@tryufm.org

Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice (MAPJ)

City of Manhattan - Non-Discrimination Ordinance

An amendment to the City of Manhattan Non-Discrimination Ordinance, Chapter 10 of the City Code, has been approved by the City Commission and is now in effect as of November 1, 2016.

The amendment adds two new protected classes (sexual orientation and gender identity) to the discrimination prohibition. It makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing or public accommodations. It creates a local enforcement process for complaints of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Complaints of discrimination involving all other protected classes (race, sex, familial status, military status, disability, religion, age, color, national origin or ancestry) are still enforced through the EEOC or the Kansas Human Rights Commission.

https://cityofmhk.com/2787/Non-Discrimination-Ordinance

Riley County Police Department - LGBTQ+ Liaisons

The Riley County Police Department has selected two officers as LGBTQ+ liaisons, acting as a bridge between the police and the community promoting a positive relationship with people in Riley County.

It is the goal of the RCPD to ensure all members of the community are treated fairly. The liaisons are available to serve as a bridge to all persons especially those who may be the victims of crime.

https://www.rileycountypolice.org/256/LGBTQ-Liaisons

Trevor Project

Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation fight to make equality, equity and liberation a reality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. As the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, we drive impact by inspiring, engaging and mobilizing millions of pro-equality voters and supporters to elect pro-equality leaders and to demand equity-based policies and legislation; changing hearts and minds through programming that increases understanding, visibility and support for the diverse LGBTQ+ community in all aspects of our identities; and transforming the institutions and systems that shape our everyday lives by advancing LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in schools, workplaces, hospitals, communities and beyond.

https://www.hrc.org/

ACLU of Kansas

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights and liberties of all people living in Kansas. We work in the state legislature, the courts, and local communities to ensure that those who threaten the civil liberties of Kansans are met with stark resistance. We work for policy change to expand and strengthen civil liberties, provide legal counsel, and act as an ally and an advocate for people who are denied the rights guaranteed to them by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

https://www.aclukansas.org/en