A Black student group at the University of Missouri is facing pushback from administrators for having over their attempt to hold a back-to-school event with the word “Black” in the name.
According to Inside Higher Ed, this is the second year in a row that the school has shutdown the event.
The Legion of Black Collegians, a long-standing Black student government at Mizzou, announced the cancellation Monday (Aug. 25), saying MU told them the word “Black” in the event’s name made it seem like some students were excluded.
LBC responded to the decision and said the organization was offered no alternative solutions by the university.
They also noted that on a campus where black students were significantly outnumbered by white students, recreational spaces for students of all identities were crucial.
The chapter said the cancellation “reinforces a troubling pattern in which Black organizations are met with unnecessary barriers to visibility and belonging.”
In a statement University President Mun Choi said, “When holding events using university facilities, student organizations must avoid excluding individuals based on race. The name of the “Black 2 Class Block Party” suggested such exclusivity.”
View University of Missouri President Mun Choi’s full letter to LBC below:
Legion of Black Collegians,
Please find below my response to your letter dated August 20, 2025.
The University of Missouri fosters a non-discriminatory campus environment. When holding events using University facilities, student organizations must avoid excluding individuals based on race. The name of the “Black 2 Class Block Party” proposed by LBC suggested such exclusivity. For that reason, the decision was made that the event as described would not be held on campus.
The University of Missouri will not respond to demands. University leaders will meet with LBC leaders to continue the discussion.
The University and the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center will host Welcome Black and Gold BBQ on August 29th. All are welcome to join us as we start a new academic year.
Sincerely,
Mun
In an effort to avoid federal scrutiny, universities across the country have canceled events and closed diversity centers following Trump’s ban on race-based programming and activities.