The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, specifically the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Gregg Heinselman, and the Interim Chancellor, Mike Carney, have made the abhorrent decision to completely eliminate the position of Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership held by Dr. Chris Jorgenson. This decision exists within a broad list of detrimental changes to UWEC (including but not limited to the closing of the Center for Restorative Practices and the elimination of the center's director, Catherine Emmanuelle; the removal of the large pride flag from The CookOUT event; and the prohibition of HRT to any student under the age of 19). Now, with Chris's departure, the beloved programs known as The Fire Ball and Q-Fest (as we know them) will indefinitely cease, as each of these programs demands countless hours to develop and execute, in addition to Chris’s numerous additional campus responsibilities (in partnership with the GSRC, MSS, and Fostering Success). The Fire Ball has been the largest source of funding for the GSRC (Gender & Sexuality Resource Center), providing high impact practices for students, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in direct scholarships and emergency funds to students in financial need. It is very telling that those in power have chosen to get rid of positions and people who are more than willing to put in the hours upon hours of work, instead of continuing to provide support for the work that is already being done.

I do not speak on behalf of any person or system. I chose UWEC because of the programs and support Chris and the GSRC provide. I pay thousands of dollars to attend UWEC, and I, as well as everyone else who has put in the same amount of money (and more), deserve immensely better decisions for our welfare than what has been done. This is a grossly negligent betrayal of not only the university's staff members, but its students who rely on the resources that Chris not only aids in maintaining but built from the ground up. This decision will have drastic and destructive consequences for years to come. If you refuse to stand with the university's decision and instead stand with Chris and all of the students who have been affected, then I urge you to sign this petition to show your support. Although this will not provide any immediate changes, it will firmly demonstrate our ability to come together in a meaningful way that no institutional system can take from us.