University of Nebraska at Kearney cancels trans-focused training after backlash
The University of Nebraska at Kearney canceled a transgender-focused faculty training module after an online backlash and immediate condemnation from Republican Gov. Jim Pillen.
“How Can I Shift from Supporting to Empowering Transspectrum Students?” Titled, the volunteer workshop was part of the school’s Monday Morning Mentor series and referenced a 20-minute program developed by a North Carolina college that aims to help professors create a more inclusive classroom environment.
The program gained attention after TikTok’s Libs shared a university email about X-oriented education, criticizing the initiative and calling for the school’s funding to be cut.
“The University of Nebraska at Kearney… requests faculty to attend a meeting where they will be educated on Empowering Trans Students and creating a classroom that includes DEI,” the account stated. “This university takes our tax money… DEFUND… I’m sick of this garbage.”
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Supporters of Policy 8040 celebrate the inclusion of transgender protections in Loudoun County Public Schools policies during a school board meeting on August 11, 2021 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Ricky Carioti/Washington Post)
Pillen republished the criticism on Monday, condemning the training.
“This nonsense is completely irrelevant and destructive to the teaching mission of the University of Nebraska and incompatible with the values of the state it serves,” Pillen wrote to X. “University leaders must immediately root out this and all other similar programs throughout the system.”
He warned that failure to act could lead to investigations or funding cuts.
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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen criticized a transgender-focused faculty training module at the University of Nebraska at Kearney before it was canceled. (Getty Images)
“If the university cannot police its own ranks and rid itself of the vigilante disease that has degraded so many ‘elite’ institutions of higher education, it risks investigations, defunding and, most importantly, loss of the trust of the people it serves,” he added.
The university removed the module on Tuesday, according to Nebraska Public Media.
UNK said its focus “remains on rigorous academics and student success through effective teaching and the creation of a welcoming environment for all students” and that “the referenced module has been removed.”
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A sign in front of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The university removed the faculty training module after criticism from state officials and backlash online. (Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“We have addressed the issue and adjusted our review process moving forward,” the school said.
Pillen later called the decision “good news”.
He wrote about X: “After my post last night, the University of Nebraska at Kearney removed the objectionable content.” “This is good news.”
He added that higher education institutions must remain in line with public expectations.
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“The mission of education in America is not to cultivate woke indoctrination but to develop critical students and thinkers who are ready to become the next generation of leaders and business builders,” Pillen said. “That is our mission, and we cannot allow Nebraska agencies to be distracted from that.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the University of Nebraska at Kearney for comment.
