KU bars gorillas from jungle-theme decoration due to 'masculine image'

Anthony Gockowski

Contributing Editor/Investigative Reporter

@AGockowski

on Sep 26, 2016 at 9:27 AM EDT

An RA at the University of Kansas was advised against incorporating an image of a gorilla into a jungle-themed floor decoration because the animal apparently represents “a very masculine image.”

Assistant Complex Director Dale Morrow also noted that there are "stereotypes that surround this animal," and therefore its inclusion in the display would not be "inclusive."

A n RA at the University of Kansas was advised against incorporating an image of a gorilla into a jungle-themed floor decoration because the animal apparently represents “a very masculine image.”



In an email obtained by Campus Reform , a university employee with the school’s student housing department writes to a resident advisor, who wishes to remain anonymous, to explain to him that he cannot use an image of a gorilla for a routine floor decoration.

“Gorillas represent a very masculine image, and...this would not be inclusive to all of our residents.”

“I think it would be best if your floor chose a different theme animal to be more inclusive,” Assistant Complex Director Dale Morrow wrote in an email at the start of this academic year. “First, gorillas represent a very masculine image, and I feel that this would not be inclusive to all of our residents on that floor.”