Mizzou Defunds Identity-Based Student Organizations

Leaders of multicultural groups express outrage over loss of funding and university recognition

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:56pm

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A vibrant, fragmented painting of a podium or lectern in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of warm orange, red, and yellow, conveying a sense of disruption and uncertainty around Mizzou's defunding of identity-based student organizations.Mizzou's decision to defund multicultural student groups shatters the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion.Columbia Today

Student leaders of organizations funded through Mizzou's multicultural fee, including the Legion of Black Collegians, Asian American Association, Association of Latin American Students, Four Front, and the Queer Liberation Front, hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the university's decision to defund their groups starting in July 2026. The organizations were also informed they would no longer be recognized as student governments, and would have to register as Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) with strict budget caps, making it difficult to continue their work supporting minority students on campus.

Why it matters

The defunding of these identity-based organizations raises concerns about Mizzou's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, as the groups play a vital role in creating community and advocating for marginalized students. The changes also put the organizations in direct competition for limited funding with over 600 other RSOs on campus.

The details

In an April 3 meeting, Angela King Taylor, vice chancellor for student affairs, informed leaders of the five organizations that their funding through the multicultural student fee would be eliminated starting in July 2026. The university also said the Legion of Black Collegians would no longer be recognized as a student government, a status it has held since 1969. The organizations were told they would need to register as RSOs, which have strict $1,500 caps per event and $3,000 overall spending limits - restrictions the group leaders say make it 'very unfeasible' for them to continue their work.

  • On April 2, student leaders were asked to meet regarding updates they needed to be aware of.
  • On April 3, the organizations were informed of the defunding decision and loss of student government status.
  • On April 6, Mizzou Student Association was told its Filling In the Space auxiliary organization could no longer receive MSA funding.
  • On April 8, the town hall meeting was held in Allen Auditorium.

The players

Amaya Morgan

President of the Legion of Black Collegians (LBC).

Desmond Jones

Vice President of the Legion of Black Collegians (LBC).

Mia Ramirez

Vice President of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).

Asher McFerran

Vice President of the Queer Liberation Front (QLF).

Trinity Shields

Director of Filling In the Space (FITS), an auxiliary organization of the Mizzou Student Association.

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What they’re saying

“We work tirelessly to give our students community. So for them to already tell us that we're supposed to do the job that they are supposed to do, and then take the money away to do that job, is entirely disrespectful to minority students.”

— Amaya Morgan, President, Legion of Black Collegians

“The banquet that we're having soon (is) in the Reynolds Alumni Center — just to book the room is $400, to have tables that went into that room brings the total up to, like, $1,734. So to have a $1,500 cap for the entire semester per event … it is very unfeasible for us to do very much of anything.”

— Desmond Jones, Vice President, Legion of Black Collegians

“It's just so disrespectful and disheartening to see that all of the hard work that the people before me put into this organization is getting kicked in the face.”

— Karina Franquiz, President, Association of Latin American Students

“My transfer papers were filled out. I just never pressed submit because of my community, and ALAS, because of my community and my story, which is a multicultural story, which is also being affected by this.”

— Mia Ramirez, Vice President, Association of Latin American Students

“Coming to this campus, the first thing I looked up was, 'Would I be safe here as a queer and transgender person?' That is a basic priority that (people) should be allowed and shouldn't even have to worry about when they come to this campus, and yet, here we are.”

— Asher McFerran, Vice President, Queer Liberation Front

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This decision by Mizzou to defund identity-based student organizations raises serious concerns about the university's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The groups play a vital role in supporting and advocating for marginalized students, and the new funding structure puts them at a significant disadvantage compared to other campus organizations. This move could undermine the sense of community and belonging that these groups have fostered for decades.