WKU’s Society of Black Alumni announced on Wednesday that the organization will no longer be affiliated with the university’s Alumni Association due to the university’s efforts to meet House Bill 4 compliance regulations.

These regulations are part of the university’s efforts to comply with recent state-wide legislation that prohibits Kentucky universities and colleges from funding diversity, equity and inclusion-related programs and organizations. 

“Recent legislation has resulted in operational changes for Kentucky’s public universities and their affiliated organizations,” University Spokesperson Jace Lux said in an email to the Herald. “WKU and all public institutions in Kentucky are required to implement these changes in order to remain compliant with state law.”

The Society of Black Alumni was given the option to either dissolve the organization or remove “black” from the organization’s name, mission statement and scholarship recipient preferences if it wanted to remain operationally supported by the university, according to an Instagram post made by the Society of Black Alumni. 

“We are deeply disappointed by the lack of transparency and collaboration surrounding these institutional decisions and remain concerned about the long-term impact on spaces and programs that have long supported marginalized students at WKU,” the Instagram post said. 

The post said that the society’s board has decided not to dissolve the organization and will move forward with efforts to become an independent organization with 503(c)(3) nonprofit status. 

“This decision was not made lightly,” the Instagram post said. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to preserve the integrity of our mission, protect our endowed scholarships and ensure donor contributions continue to reach the students and communities for whom they were created.” 

The Society of Black Alumni President, Joscelynn Brandon and Vice President, Kristina Gamble, said that if they were to follow the regulations, it would affect the organization’s goal of serving black and brown alumni and students at WKU. 

“We couldn’t operate the way we wanted to if we were compliant and it’s even more important because we’re at a PWI (Predominantly White Institution),” Gamble said. “If the compliance affects our goal, we know we have to make a decision.”