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Feminist Campus presents...
THE FEMINIST STUDENT VOICE
Welcome to The Feminist Student Voice—your go-to source for unapologetically feminist news, stories, and action, straight from students!
Each month, we’ll bring you the latest on campus activism, reproductive rights, gender justice, and everything in between—written for students, by students . Whether you're looking for ways to get involved, need a feminist take on current events, or just want some inspiration from badass organizers across the country, we’ve got you covered.
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Purdue University Fort Wayne Standing Together Amid Devastating DEI Cuts
Sabene Rizvi, Purdue Fort Wayne | May 24
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Purdue University Fort Wayne laid off 45 employees, including 12 staff members from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices. As a result, our LGBTQIA+ Center, Women’s Center, and MultiCultural Center have been closed. While Trio Student Support Services remains operational, it is now staffed by only two individuals—an unsustainable situation for such a vital program.
These closures have significantly reduced access to essential resources for students. Generation Action has lost 40% of its menstrual product distribution sites and 67% of its sites for free sexual health supplies, including Plan B, condoms, and oral HIV tests. At a university where women make up 55% of the student population—and amid rising period poverty in the United States—these cuts are deeply concerning. They do not reflect a serious commitment to student health, safety, or equity.
The Chancellor’s office recently requested Every Campus A Refuge raise $1 million dollars to host a refugee family and to do critical work with refugees in Fort Wayne and our campus. Every Campus A Refuge has lost one of its biggest allies, the multi-cultural center because of these cuts. Most of our refugee students are first generation students and unfamiliar with the American Education System. Without Trio, they will be lost.
The administration has cited state-imposed budget cuts as the reason for these decisions. However, the process by which these cuts were carried out raises significant concerns. There was little to no transparency about which programs or staff would be affected, and no public dialogue about how the university might prioritize its values while addressing fiscal constraints. It’s hard not to question why critical student support infrastructure was reduced while top administrative salaries remain unchanged.
Purdue Fort Wayne has often spoken of the importance of community yet during these layoffs, the administration failed to uphold those values. I was shocked to hear that some employees were laid off while accompanying students on a university-sponsored trip to Puerto Rico. The presence of police during the layoffs, the lack of transparency, and the absence of basic human respect shown to long-serving employees— including those with over 40 years of service—are unacceptable.
The issue here is not just about budgets—it’s about priorities. It's about who is being asked to bear the burden of cuts, and why certain programs are deemed expendable while others remain untouched. There were other options—alternative budgets were proposed—that did not cut staff and could have preserved essential services and minimized harm. But the community was never invited into that conversation.
As former Student Body President McKayla Henry said: “Performative activism will just not do us justice—call local and state representatives, write letters, go outside and protest, BE the change you want to see.”
This is a painful time to be a Mastodon. But we cannot afford to let this moment pass without action. I urge our community, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and allies to raise its voice, hold our leadership accountable, and demand better for our students, faculty, and staff. Our institutions must reflect the values they claim to uphold.
FEMINIST QUAD TALK
[[link removed]] Feminist Campus: Quad Talk is your platform to share bold opinions, fresh takes, and thoughtful reflections on the world we’re navigating. Whether you’re tackling the latest social issue or cracking a joke about the chaos, this is where your voice matters. Submit your piece (500 words or less please!) to be part of the weekly collection on the Feminist Campus Website of young people’s perspectives on the political and social issues shaping our lives today. Let’s talk about it—your way.
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FEMINIST GROUP FEATURE:
Kutztown University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
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What are the key issues your group is organizing around this year?
As a group, we are intentional about staying as informed as possible on politics, news, current events, and voting issues, as well as providing calls to action for our campus community. We also place a heavy focus on amplifying women and trans people as well as uplifting voices from marginalized communities.
What are some specific challenges you've faced organizing on your campus?
We have had challenges with students being apathetic or overwhelmed by the state of the world and number of issues to address. We have also dealt with bigotry and anti-trans sentiments as well as the rise of far-right attitudes among student associations.
How does your group define feminism, and how does that guide your work?
We identify as intersectional feminists and always use that to guide our meetings. Our goal is to continue providing a safe space for people to be themselves in an accepting and empowering space. we also promote equity to promote a more just and healthy society and lifestyle. We make sure to focus on real people and the power that we have as feminists.
What campaign or event are you most proud of and why?
We were proud to attend NYFLC, where we got to see the part we play in a larger movement and build knowledge to bring back to our club. Also, we are proud of keeping up to date with our "What's in the News” meeting series, even though it can be difficult and overwhelming to discuss everything going on in the world right now. I am proud of the community and friendships that we've built through this club and with the Boxwood House.
Connect with Kutztown FMLA on Instagram @fmla_kutztown [[link removed]]
We want to hear about the work you're doing on campus! Reach out to [email protected] for your group to be featured.
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TAKE ACTION
If you live in Washington, D.C., chances are you’ve eaten at a STARR Restaurant Group [[link removed]] spot—Le Diplomate, Rasika, Modena, Pastis, St. Anselm, and many others.
For months, workers at STARR restaurants have been organizing to join UNITE HERE Local 25 [[link removed]] . In response, they’ve faced aggressive union-busting tactics from management. Now, some workers are also coming forward about the sexual harassment they’ve experienced on the job.
The restaurant industry drew national attention during the Me Too movement, but high rates of sexual harassment continue—especially for young women under male supervision. One STARR cook reported that a supervising chef grabbed her neck from behind and shook her. When she told him, “Let me go, you’re hurting me,” he laughed. Despite reporting the incident to HR, she is still scheduled to work alongside him.
The Feminist Majority Foundation is proud to stand with Local 25 and the brave workers speaking out. We led a delegation to Pastis to demand that STARR take immediate action against sexual harassment. Keeping survivors in unsafe workplaces is unacceptable. No one should have to endure abuse to earn a living—especially not in our city’s restaurants.
Stand with restaurant workers and check out the union's campaign on Instagram @dcfoodworkers [[link removed]] to get involved! [[link removed]]
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We'll see you in D.C. this Saturday, June 14, for a national day of action and mass mobilization! Find out more here [[link removed]] .
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Feminist Campus is a program of the Feminist Majority Foundation.
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