Dive Brief:

• The University of South Carolina is closing its Center for Women’s and Gender Studies in a move that critics say is a response to homophobic pressure from the state's legislature.
• The center, which has an annual budget of $500, had booked a satirical play called "How to be a Lesbian in 10 Days or Less." It is due to be closed on July 1.
• South Carolina’s General Assembly has previously threatened to cut or withhold money for state colleges and universities based on courses with assigned reading of gay-themed books.

Dive Insight:

One point raised by a Charleston City Paper article is that the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies could play an important role in responding to Title IX regulations. Considering the national focus on repeatedly botched responses in sexual assault cases at higher ed institutions, and the federal investigations and lawsuits that often follow, this programming cut could end up costing the college much more than $500 on the Title IX issues alone.