KU 2025 Wrapped
You have all seen your Spotify/Apple Music Wrapped, now it's time for your KU Wrapped, brought to you by Contributor Caden Foster!
In January, students were welcomed back to campus with the inauguration of President Donald Trump-a real fan favorite on campus and the only person in history to win Kansas in three consecutive elections.
This year was one to remember, for the good and the bad. Starting strong, you witnessed the first of many ‘gender inclusive’ protests on campus in February. You listened for 0 minutes, making you one of the bottom 100% of listeners to ‘things that don’t bother literally anyone,’ congratulations!
February also brought the student senate’s proposal of 80% funding drop of the University Daily Kansan and no more safe rides.
In March, you were once again witness to ‘Trans Housing’ and ‘Gender Inclusivity’ protests.
These ‘life-changing’ protests really made an impact. Or not at all in any way, shape or form as the University of Kansas finally complied with the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Legislature's wholesale ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies.
April saw new life, but the same old protesting. As the flowers began to bloom, trans activists took to social media to protest Riley Gaines speaking at the University of Kansas. The event, hosted by Turning Point USA at KU, promoted the free speech that Charlie Kirk believed in.
Riley Gaines spoke about her experiences as a female athlete facing male athletes in her time at the University of Kentucky. Leftists at KU just really hate to see women's achievement.
Also in April, a new student government coalition won an election and actually took office-the faculty didn’t threaten democracy this time. Hooray!
In May of 2025, as some Jayhawks stepped foot into the real world upon graduating in the new Booth Stadium, others continued to live in the upside-down. The self-proclaimed “Students for Justice in Palestine,” known better as SJP or “the reason I was late to class in Strong Hall”, took to the courts to sue KU over their externally funded encampment in May of 2024.
(Video: SJP Encampment May 2024)
The Free State Journal, hey, that’s us, was founded in June of 2025. Creating a Student-run publication on campus, which promotes freedom of speech, facts, and sometimes satire!
Also in June, the Guild of Carilloners hosted their annual congress on Mount Oread in the most beautiful campanile.
In July of 2025, the Kansas Board of Regents officially banned the use of pronouns by all University of Kansas staff, from emails to Zoom profiles, sparking…outrage? If you or any other theys or zers were affected by this, please keep up the brave protests.
August saw the return of the best of Lawrence, Kansas. The 30 minutes of sitting at the 23rd and Iowa stoplight and the “Freshman 15? “Not on these hills!” We also saw the return of Kansas Football, then the subsequent return of the 2024 Kansas Jayhawks defense…did they still keep their pronouns?
August brought KU one of the largest single donations in college sports history, thank you David Booth. KU celebrated by starting the year 2-0, defeating Fresno State (we all know it’s not a state) and Wagner University (if you hadn’t heard of them until their blowout loss to KU, you’re not alone!) We then choked against Mizzou, whose state has also voted for Trump in three consecutive elections.
Sorority rush also occurred in August. This brought back the wonderful Panhellenic “do’s and don’ts” and the annual avalanche of woke buzzwords.
These are not parodies—they were really sent out to the Sororities at KU. They blasphemed our beloved 1912 Jayhawk.
September brought FIRE’s free speech ranking of KU to a solid F. It was then marred by the assassination of Turning Point USA president and founder, Charlie Kirk, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. We promise these things happened even though our administration doesn’t seem to acknowledge either of them.
Following the assassination, Turning Point USA at KU hosted a candlelight vigil on campus and its next meeting was standing room only.
October saw the revival of the No Kings protests, which honestly aren’t worth the pixels on this webpage. It is nice, however, for the senior citizens to get out in the sun.
November was host to more disappointment by the KU football team, basketball team, and probably the SJP. KU Football ended the year at 5-7, for the second time in a row, which is pretty good for KU football, but pretty bad for those of you who had KU in the Rose Bowl.
Also in November, Sister Cindy visited Wescoe Beach and lectured students walking by in November.
In December, the best news of all, Iowa Street is finally no longer under construction. Pairing this with the final stage of the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, there have been two early Christmas gifts from Lawrence and KU!!
KU Basketball also showed why there’s Kansas in Kansas City, defeating the Missouri Tigers 80-60! Rock Chalk!
Overall, this was a great year. Let’s do it again next year (with more protests).
The Free State Journal is dedicated to the mission of improving Free Speech on Campus. For contributions email thefreestatejournal@gmail.com.