DEI efforts at UK to be disbanded
By Casey Sebastiano news@kykernel.com
University of Kentucky
President Eli Capilouto announced the Office of Institutional Diversity will be disbanded as a part of the university’s “mission to advance this state in all that we do.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Capilouto sent an email to the faculty and staff of UK detailing the future of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the university and why the decision was made after having previously disagreed with anti-DEI legislation.
The units within the Office for Institutional Diversity will shift and move to other offices that “support the entire institution.”
The Martin Luther King Center will be a part of the Office of Student Success, UK’s public radio station WUKY and lifelong learning programs like the Donovan Scholars will be in the Office for Community Relations, and the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives will “evolve under UK HealthCare.”
According to the email a new office, called the Office for Community Relations, will be introduced along with other unnamed offices.
Capilouto said the structure and organization of UK must reflect the com -
mitment to support the success of all students, engage with entire communities and welcome divergent perspectives, rather than focusing on a specific part of the campus community.
“Job descriptions will reflect that people are doing work that impacts and serves all, not some. Moreover, some units are necessarily being moved out of an office that is being disbanded into
other units, to serve all,” Jay Blanton, UK spokesperson said in an X post, formerly known as Twitter.
No jobs will be eliminated in the process of dismantling DEI on campus, according to the email. Positions with diversity in the title will be renamed accordingly.
“Colleges and units will work with members of our community whose titles include diversity officer to bet-
ter recognize what I heard from so many — that their efforts support all members of a college or unit,” Capilouto said. “We have good and dedicated people doing important work. They serve the entire community; their job descriptions and their efforts should reflect that commitment.”
In addition to the shift of offices, diversity training will no longer be mandated at any level as it is “not as effective
and that diversity statements don't speak to actions,” the email said.
Diversity statements will not be required during the hiring and application processes, facilitators will remain impartial on partisan and political issues, and as a way of “ensuring impartiality,” websites will be free of political positions.
The email said any statements that imply an official view on a current event will be eliminated to ensure impartiality on campus.
According to the email, it was “made clear” to Capilouto that legislators will be re-exploring the possibility of anti-DEI legislation in the 2025 legislative session after failing to push forward with the legislation this past spring.
Capilouto said UK has listened to policymakers’ questions regarding the ways in which the university stands on current issues and whether UK appears partisan or political.
“… As a result, (we) narrowly interpret things solely through the lens of identity. In so doing, the concern is that we either intentionally or unintentionally limit discourse,” Capilouto said.
He said this does not infringe on academic freedom and does not want it to be construed that way.
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF
UK President Eli Capilouto talks to journalists during Big Blue Move-In on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at Jewell Hall at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
From the Editor: Fueled by awe and sustained by wonder
By Abbey Cutrer editor@kykernel.com
While it’s my senior year, this is just the beginning for thousands of University of Kentucky students. There are a handful of “lasts” we’ll experience this year, but there are also many new experiences around the corner for us.
Most of the student body will be voting in their first presidential election. We have a new men's basketball coach for this upcoming season. The largest classroom building at UK is under construction and no longer hosting classes. There are constant changes with DEI, faculty senate and housing at our university.
These pivotal moments will define our university and our nation, and our staff is anxious to cover every development with the depth and integrity our readers expect.
Whether it’s the pulse of politics, the excitement on the court or the stories that matter most to our campus, we are ready to capture it all.
One of my greatest passions is learning how to be a watchdog and what it means to hold those in power accountable.
As I practice this journalism at the Kernel, I am inspired by the incredibly talented group of journalists I work alongside. Teaching new staff at this rapidly growing me-
dia outlet has been thrilling; continuing this teaching and leadership as editor-in-chief is such an honor.
The Kernel has brought me my best friends, my mentors for life and incredible subjects that so kindly let me into their lives for a day or even weeks.
Being in journalism has encouraged a life of curiosity and intellectual exploration because it’s more than a profession.
"Awe is an emotion that you feel when you encounter vast things that are mysterious," psychology professor
Dacher Keltner once said.
In journalism, this awe arises when we uncover stories that show the intricacies of the human condition and the depth of the world around us.
It's the moment when a reporter first grasps the lede of a story or when a photojournalist captures a fleeting moment full of emotion.
What follows this awe is wonder — a mental state where curiosity takes the lead and the desire to explore and discover becomes irresistible. Having experienced this, I know the wonder drives me
to dig deeper, ask more questions and seek out the details that others might overlook. It transforms the initial awe into a dedicated pursuit of truth, storytelling and connection.
At the Kernel awe and wonder work hand in hand, encouraging us to uncover the life within our university and to share those discoveries with our audience, regardless of whether those discoveries are good or bad.
This is the beauty of journalism. It is a field fueled by awe and sustained by wonder, constantly pushing the boundaries of understanding and opening up new worlds for exploration.
The Kernel has been a shining example of this since I first heard of the paper on my initial tour of the university.
After I moved into Jewell Hall in the fall of 2021, I went to Campus Ruckus where I met Rayleigh Deaton, the then-editor of the Kernel. She invited me to the Kernel Retreat where I met the staff, learned about the Code of Ethics and got my first photo assignment before classes even started.
Within a day I had an awe for journalism and I haven’t been able to shake the wonder since.
I look forward to a year of growth, curiosity and telling the truth through the Kernel every day.
Abbey Cutrer, editor-in-chief editor@kykernel.com
Casey Sebastiano , managing editor managinged@kykernel.com
Matthew Mueller, photo editor photo@kykernel.com
Kennedy Parker, copy editor
Kristen Roberts, features editor features@kykernel.com
Casey Sebastiano , news editor news@kykernel.com
Lilly Keith, assistant news editor
Owen Chesemore, opinions editor opinions@kykernel.com
Cole Parke, sports editor sports@kykernel.com
Jonathon Bruner, assistant sports editor
Akhila Nadimpalli, designer
Kaci McCarthy, social media & newsletter manager
Giana Gallo, broadcast & podcast manager
Bryce Towle, TikTok manager
KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICE
9 Blazer Dining University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506
On the front cover:
PHOTO BY
MATTHEW MUELLER
The Wildcat leads the newest Freshmen class in football chants at Big Blue U on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
© AUG 26, 2024 KERNEL PRESS, INC.
Abbey Cutrer poses with her camera during the Picture Kentucky workshop. Photo by Carter Skaggs.
'This is where my
journey to my new life begins' Big Blue Move-In
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF
An incoming freshman's dad pushes her cart during Big Blue Move-In on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at Jewell Hall at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky
By Casey Sebastiano news@kykernel.com
Incoming students moved into their new dorms across campus during UK’s annual Big Blue Move-in.
From August 18-21, transfer students and freshmen moved into their new homes for the next nine months with the help of family members and the Wildcat Welcome team.
The Wildcat Welcome team assisted families in unloading their cars and loading
their belongings to the carts and tables to keep the traffic moving according to Wildcat Welcome team member, Dan Bell.
“It's kinda exciting really, seeing different things, everyone having different emotions about it,” Bell said.
He said he saw a few families sad, hating to see loved ones move onto the next stage of their lives, but the overall experience was a good one.
Sidewalks outside dorms were filled with incoming freshmen and their parents moving the big blue carts
to the line of the closest elevator to get started on setting up their new space.
Mya Jones, an incoming agricultural and science major, and her mom Leslie Jones, said it’s “bittersweet” to move away to school with Mya being home having been the norm for so long.
The nerves set in as the final bags were moved into their rooms and the carts were returned to the Wildcat Welcome team.
Incoming freshman communi -
cations major, Ryan Tattersall, said he is nervous to start college hours away from his hometown in Eastern Pennsylvania, but is excited to explore Kentucky and see what UK is all about.
“This is where my journey to my new life begins,” Tattersall said. “You don't know what these places are going to bring you. It’ll be exciting for sure, but it will also be tough.”
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“This is where my journey to my new life begins,” Tattersall said. “You don't know what these places are going to bring you. It’ll be exciting for sure, but it will also be tough.”
Another member of the Wildcat Welcome team, Forrest Flannery said while being away from home for the first time for an extended period of time is a lot to take in, most students seem to take to campus pretty well.
“It doesn't really feel real, you're here and it's like, this is our place, we actually live here. It’s crazy,” Gus Kelly, a freshman studying education and secondary social studies said.
The freedom of college amazed Kelly, but he is confident that he will make Lexington, Kentucky a home of his own.
“You feel really comfortable really quickly,” Kelly said. “It doesn't necessarily feel like home, but you can tell it’s going to be, and you know you're in good hands.”
MATTHEW MUELLER | STAFF
A freshman’s personal belongings sit on a table during Big Blue Move-In on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.
SAMUEL COLMAR | STAFF
A freshman pushes a cart during Big Blue Move-In on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at Boyd Hall.
MATTHEW MUELLER | STAFF
Freshman business major, Jack Robertson, pulls his luggage down his hallway in Jewell Hall on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 during Big Blue Move-In.
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF
Freshmen Cayla Frierson and Iyanna Kimble dance during Campus Ruckus on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, outside of William T. Young Library in Lexington, Kentucky.
ABBEY CUTRER| STAFF
An incoming freshman poses with Scratch during Campus Ruckus Aug. 22, 2024, at William T. Young Library.
MATTHEW MUELLER | STAFF
Freshmen take photos in the middle of Kroger Field on Friday, Aug. 23,
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF
Incoming University of Kentucky students gather at tables during Campus Ruckus on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, at the William T. Young Library.
Ruckus on Thursday, MATTHEW MUELLER | STAFF
The newest freshmen class gathers to make Kentucky on Kroger Field Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at Kroger Field.
2024, at Kroger Field.
SYDNEY YONKER | STAFF
Jayne C, a freshman elementary education major, smiles at her friends during the Wildcat Welcome Festival on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at the University of Kentucky.
Renovations begin on White Hall; South Lawn and Pence Hall continue with construction
By Adah Hufana news@kykernel.com
Construction is an everyday occurrence on campus and this year is no exception. There are numerous projects starting and continuing into this school year.
Three projects that are extending into the 2024 school year include renovations to White Hall, a new residence hall on the South Lawn and the renovations to Pence Hall.
The White Hall Classroom Building holds about 50 classrooms according to Director of Campus Planning and Space Management Paul Knowles. The building hosts hundreds of classes daily and shares a basement with Patterson Office Tower, which holds the campus post office.
The $75 million renovation project on the building began during the summer of 2024. Mary Vosevich, vice president of facilities management and chief facilities officer, said White Hall is scheduled to be open again in the fall of 2026.
The 1970s building will have new lecture halls, classrooms and collaboration spaces for students.
Vosevich said White Hall had an earlier renovation project which improved its bathrooms.
“It is overdue for a total modernization,” Vosevich said. “That was a successful project, but it really emphasized to us the need for (renovations to) the rest of the building.”
White Hall contains 56 classrooms, six of which are auditoriums on the ground floor of the building.
MATTHEW
MUELLER | STAFF
White Hall undergoes renovations on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
venience … We’ve had to relocate classes elsewhere on campus,” Vosevich said. “Before you know it, it’ll be a brand new building.”
Another construction project on campus impacting student walking paths will be the new residential hall on South Lawn.
The perimeter of the area has been fenced off since the 2024 spring semester. The area will have signs placed in addition to the fencing directing students to alternate routes. Vosevich said the fencing surrounding the area will be lit up at night and that another sidewalk will be built for students to navigate around the construction on the north side of the lawn.
The new residence hall is said to be an $81 million four-story complex that will hold about 644 beds for undergraduate students, according to UKNow.
“It’ll be very similar to the residence halls you see on campus now,” Vosevich said.
Some of the classrooms on other floors are also being removed to make room for what Knowles called learning lounges, spaces where students can study alone or in groups. The study areas will be located on two of the corners of the second and third floors.
The Mathskeller, a place for students to receive tutoring, will also be moved to the second floor from the basement of White Hall.
“It is quite an extensive reno -
“We’re replacing those six auditoriums with two 290-seat classrooms and four that seat between 100 and 129,” Knowles said.
vation that’s happening,” Vosevich said.
White Hall has been fenced off along with its basement, but the area around the building will be accessible aside from the sidewalk between White Hall and Lafferty Hall.
Wildcat Wardrobe, the post office and Mathskeller have been temporarily moved to Patterson Office Tower. The Ricoh Document Service Center has been moved to Blazer Dining Hall.
“It’ll be a little bit of an incon -
Construction on South Lawn will extend throughout the school year and is said to be completed in the summer of 2026.
The $32 million Pence Hall project is a part of the Asset Preservation initiative according to the College of Communication and Information website.
The initiative is to preserve existing campus buildings so they may be used for their intended purposes longer. Vosevich described the project as a complete renovation so it can house the College of Communication and Information.
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Knowles said Pence Hall was built in 1909, and used to house the College of Design before it moved to the Gray Design Building on north campus.
Renovations began during the spring of 2024 and are set to be complete by the summer of 2025 according to Vosevich. The renovated building will hold the Department of Communication, School of Journalism and Media, Dean’s Office and more.
The space between Pence Hall and
the Chemistry-Physics building is now fenced off.
Vosevich also said elevators were being added to Pence Hall. She said there was a focus on making the building completely accessible for all students.
“When you keep in mind how long ago these buildings were constructed, we took a lot for granted then,” Vosevich said. “Now we’re doing everything that should be done in the facilities we’re working on.”
These three projects are only a por-
tion of the campus-wide construction. Vosevich said recognising the impact of such projects on campus life is also an important consideration.
“It’s exciting to see - it’s exciting for us to provide new spaces for students, faculty and staff to live and work in,” Vosevich said. “(But) there’s construction going on from one end of the campus to the other right now … we realize it’s sometimes difficult to navigate around campus.”
Additionally, some construction is being done in the area between
the Gatton Student Center and the Singletary Center for the Arts. The construction in that area is part of utility work underneath the sidewalk according to Vosevich.
While ongoing and new construction projects will continue into future school years, like Memorial Coliseum, Vosevich said, are nearing an end to construction.
“This is an amazing opportunity for the university for the long term. A chance to renew our campus and build it for the future,” Knowles said.
features
Study habits for back to school
By Kristen Roberts features@kykernel.com
As we all head back to school, most are probably feeling a mixture of excitement and dread for the year to come – I know I am.
Warm summer air turns into a crisp fall breeze, and pool floats are traded out for textbooks.
Though we can’t stop the change from happening, we can get ourselves better prepared to take on the hectic workload we are bound to receive.
After the first week or so of school, things start to pick up. Professors warn to have your textbooks in-hand because the readings and assignments are about to begin.
Staying organized and creating good study habits is something I still struggle with, but starting from the very beginning makes things easier in the long run. Getting yourself a calendar or planner is a great, simple way to keep your-
self organized, as well as just making to-do lists. Marking off a thing at a time, whether it be a chore or assignment, can help you keep track of your progress and stay motivated.
Utilizing your free, school issued iPad with apps, such as Goodnotes is a way to have all of these things in one place. Goodnotes provides an endless amount of electronic paper and templates for planners, to do lists, calendars and more.
This is also a much cheaper alternative to buying a new planner every year, or notebook for every class.
When it comes to studying, I've always been a person who learns from repetition, so flashcards are one of my favorite study methods when applicable.
But there are so many free study options on-campus that you should take advantage of.
The Study, open five days a week, offers drop-in peer tutoring for most math and science classes at UK. The Study has two locations
on campus (north and central), the north campus location is on the first floor of Jewell Hall and the central campus location is at The Boone Center.
The Study also employs students that have aced the class you are currently in and can provide plenty ofhelp and advice on whatever you're struggling with.
The Mathskeller is another great resource, located in the basement of Whitehall, which is also employed by students who have taken the class they are teaching you about, as well as teacher assistants (TA’s).
There are many other learning centers on campus for biology, astronomy, chemistry and writing.
The Writing Center, located in the basement of the William T. Young Library, can help you edit your papers and look over projects. However, it is only one of several resources living in The Hub, the name given to
the whirlpool of student resources in the basement of the library.
The Hub also contains the Student Media Depot and PresentationU, with the Student Media Depot you can reserve a podcast, green screen or presentation room, among many other things, and with PresentationU you can receive help with research papers, lab reports, portfolios and presentation practice.
With the tremendous amount of tuition, you are technically paying for all of these campus resources, so you might as well put them to use.
Sometimes staying at home to study with apps and going over notes is one of the easiest, time efficient ways, but having these different things readily available on campus is going to make your college life a little easier.
Just keep in mind this semester what’s there for you and use it to your benefit.
The tips you need to succeed in college
By Owen Chesemore opinions@kykernel.com
High grades and a degree no longer guarantee the careers students could once expect. In an increasingly competitive job market, they must take advantage of the opportunities that provide eye-catching material and valuable skills for their resumes.
Resume-building activities can also enable students to create lasting friendships, explore new places and gain valuable insight that will guide their career paths.
The advice to college students often remains the same: stop procrastinating, save money and find some way to maintain your sanity during finals week.
These suggestions serve a
Every choice and commitment will serve a pivotal role in determining whether or not they achieve success post-graduation.
purpose, but they fail to provide college students with the crucial tips they need the most.
Taking advantage of freshman year, dedicating time to networking, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and practicing healthy habits will tremendously benefit students in and beyond their college years.
Don’t waste freshman year. Students’ choices matter the moment they set foot on campus–not when their sophomore year begins.
Students often believe that freshman year is the time to push off obligations, supposedly because you can’t enjoy your college experience while committed to leadership and work responsibilities.
This choice causes students to miss out on crucial benefits. Pursuing involvement in areas like part-time jobs and student organizations early on can provide the stepping stones to better opportunities.
Connections matter—more than you think. It wasn’t until college that I realized the vital role that connections serve in aiding students’ success.
Students regularly receive the advice “engage with your professors during and after class.” Despite hearing it again and again, this tip often remains overlooked.
Making connections with professors has enabled me not only to succeed more in the classroom but also to re-
ceive recommendation letters, career advice and even an internship later on.
The importance of connections extends outside of the classroom as well. Networking with supervisors and co-workers can significantly boost a student’s chances of obtaining better roles.
LinkedIn offers the perfect platform to maintain these connections.
Push yourself outside your comfort zone. College provides the training ground for future jobs and experiences. If you’re worried about public speaking, communicating in front of a camera or leading a team, then college can provide the perfect opportunity to acquire these skills.
Fail, then fail again until you secure the skills you need; better now than when you’re speaking in front of hundreds of people at a business conference.
Making mistakes presents students with learning experiences that enable them to gain new skills and receive helpful insight from mentors.
Prioritize your health and create a routine. Sometimes personal or academic obligations take the wheel and force healthy habits to take the backseat. Students can experience negative consequences when they disregard taking naps, hitting the gym or escaping the endless monotony of classes and homework once in a while.
A tireless lifestyle will inevitably produce negative effects on your mental health, which can lead to burnout and poor performance in classes. It takes intentional effort to take care of one’s health. Students should set aside time in their schedule to enjoy meaningful activities like spending time with friends or taking a walk in the Arboretum.
Overachievers must commit to a reasonable amount of academic and extracurricular responsibilities. Otherwise, they will overpack their schedule and lack the time necessary to relax and recharge.
Students should also take advantage of the resources that UK offers like counselors, gyms, resident advisors and tutoring services.
Utilizing this advice carries more weight at a time when students enter an increasingly competitive job market. Ambitious students must consider more deeply how they utilize their time. So, dive into college experiences without hesitation. Make connections with professors, peers and employers. Find the skills you lack and force yourself to improve them. Practice healthy habits and stick to a routine. Follow these tips, and you will make the most out of your college experience and leave prepared to make a valuable contribution to the workforce.
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF
Incoming freshmen pose for a photo with Scratch during Campus Ruckus on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, at William T. Young Library in Lexington, Kentucky.
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