Update: June 10, 1:46 p.m.
A previous version of this story contained incorrect information related to Wichita State’s federal research funding and review methods.
In 2024, Wichita State reported $392 million in research expenditures, $276 million of came from federal sources based on an internal review, according to Wichita State officials.
Sara Tank Ornelas, manager in the office of Strategic Communications, wrote in an email that website and content updates have “been underway for several months,” as part of a larger process to “ensure compliance while continuing to uphold our mission of access and opportunity.”
Update: June 10, 12:48 p.m.
Over 20 webpages on wichita.edu are marked with an alert notifying that the content “is being reviewed in light of recent changes to state and federal laws, orders, and guidance.”
Many of the found websites related to WSU’s strategic plan, diversity and research.
Scroll down to view an interactive table listing the affected webpages.
Note: This is a developing story. Information may change as we learn more. Please check back for updates.
Wichita State University is one of many universities under pressure to address federal and state regulations around diversity measures.
Kansas Senate Bill No. 125, passed in April 2025, instructed public universities and state agencies in Kansas to eliminate positions, policies and programs related to diversity.
Earlier this year, WSU’s Provost Monica Lounsberry said that the university was “out of compliance” with DEI-related changes. Changes must follow Kansas Senate Bill No. 125 by Aug. 1.
One of the first steps WSU took to comply with new requirements happened in April, when Lounsberry announced through an email to university employees to remove “gender identifying pronouns or gender ideology” from signatures on WSU email accounts by July 15.
An executive order, signed April 23, 2025, asked the U.S. Secretary of Education to temporarily or permanently remove accreditation from universities that break civil rights laws related to diversity in hiring and application processes. Accreditation is a national recognition that a higher education establishment is credible and gives credibility and value to degree holders.
Zach Gearhart, executive director of government relations at WSU, said in May that the impact of the actions on WSU is unclear.
Along with diversity, WSU will likely see impacts on research funding. In FY2024, Wichita State reported $382 million in total research expenditures, of which $276 million from federal sources, according to Wichita State officials.
A page dedicated to research and scholarship is flagged for review, likely due to the pending research funding.
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