In a meeting with the University of Missouri’s Division of Student Affairs on Friday, leaders of student organizations were informed all multicultural umbrella associations will be lose their direct funding from the division starting July 2026. 

The groups affected include:

• The Legion of Black Collegians (LBC)
• Association of Latin American Students (ALAS)
• Asian American Association (AAA)
• Queer Liberation Front (QLF)
• FourFront

All of these student organizations hold their own events, and also have several other student organizations under their “umbrellas” that they support.

According to Sunday morning social media posts from LBC, AAA and ALAS, these umbrella organizations are being reclassified as Recognized Student Organizations. The reclassification means they will no longer receive direct funding from the Division of Student Affairs, but rather from the university’s Organization Resource Group office.

The money from Division of Student Affairs previously designated for these umbrella organizations will now be reallocated to the Organization Resource Group office, according to AAA President Tanvi Kulkarni. This money will then be distributed among the more than 600 student organizations under the Organization Resource Group, Kulkarni said.

“The changes more accurately describe student groups and their relationship with the university,” MU Spokesperson Christopher Ave told KOMU 8.

Various organizations took to social media Sunday morning to release statements about the university’s action. 

“The university is taking calculated steps to push minority students further away from the Mizzou stratosphere,” LBC said in an Instagram post. “Attacks such as this diminish not only our legacy, but our continued ability to serve and uplift the students that the University neglects.”

Additionally, LBC announced it will no longer be recognized by student government by the University of Missouri. 

Ave said the changes to student organizations classifications were made based on input from stakeholders and an external consultant.

“To comply with restrictions issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on allocating university resources such as funding or space based on protected demographic characteristics, the university reviewed the way it has been providing funding to five specific student organizations,” Ave said. “It was determined that the university must change the way we have been providing funds for these five student organizations to comply with federal requirements and avoid jeopardizing crucial funding for student financial aid, research and other university programs. For that reason, the university will end its practice of providing designated funding for the following affinity student organizations.”

Mizzou LBC is not the only organization that views this change as a deliberate action. 

“This is an intentional, direct laceration to the 35 years of work that our community has accrued by the University of Missouri – Columbia,” Mizzou ALAS said in an Instagram post. “We call on all of you to demand the changes you want to see and continue to advocate for yourselves on campus.”

Mizzou AAA took to Instagram to express their disappointment of this change. 

“This news is disheartening, especially following the removal of the Department of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity last year,” AAA said in an Instagram post. “However, we will continue to support each other and keep our community thriving.”

LBC and ALAS announced Sunday they will be holding a private emergency senate meeting and public town hall on Monday. The public town hall will begin at 7 p.m. in Schlundt Hall, Room 103.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.