Diversity in Question: Ohio State announces major cutbacks and changes to the university’s DEI related programs

Students, faculty and staff gathered at the Ohio State University’s Senate meeting on Thursday in Drinko Hall. Pictures depict individuals gathering outside during and after the meeting after being turned away once the room reached its capacity. Attendees held up signs and chanted in protest, while watching the live zoom recording of the meeting. Photo Credit // BXB President, Xiyonne McCullough; BXB Peer Liaison, Chengetai Dziba

The Ohio State University announced the removal of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Belonging and Social Change at a senate meeting, Thursday in Drinko Hall.

University President Ted Carter shared the university’s plans to remove and rebrand its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) related programs in compliance with recent executive orders from President Donald Trump's administration, a notice from the Department of Education and Ohio Senate Bill 1. 

”We rely on federal support for everything from student financial aid, to research, to programming,” said Carter. “As president – and I am proud to be your president – it would violate my fiduciary duty and my moral obligation to protect our students, faculty, and staff, [and] to put us at risk of losing crucial federal dollars is something that we all cannot tolerate.” 

In an email sent to the Ohio State community prior to the meeting, Carter said ODI as well as its initiatives will be “sunset”, effective immediately. 

Carter also announced services offered by CBSC are set to be discontinued starting Friday. The space provided opportunities such as educational workshops around diversity, shared identity groups and programming events for civic engagement. 

“Both ODI and the CBSC have historically done valuable work for our campus and students,” Carter said in his email. “I know these decisions will be disappointing for many in our community, particularly as we navigate an already uncertain and challenging period.”

In both his email and at the meeting, Carter addressed how these changes will impact the status of various “race-based” scholarships.

“Scholarships administered by the Office of Academic Affairs, including the Morrill Scholarship Program and the Young Scholars Program, will be maintained with modified eligibility criteria going forward,” Carter said in his email.

Fatou Toure, a fourth-year in political science and economics, said the retention of DEI efforts can provide students with a community and safe-space when on-campus. 

”I found my space and my friends through DEI initiatives,” said Toure. “To me, it’s taking away a space where I’m comfortable, and I’m graduating but I don’t want that to happen to the incoming students.”

Third–year in criminology, Paul Roberston said he felt unsure of his place in the university following the meeting’s conclusion. 

“I really feel lost as an institution, especially since I was really starting to get acclimated and get my things right, now everybody is back to square one,” said Robertson. 

Faculty and staff also shared their reactions to the news, including Madison Eagle, formerly employed as the Native American Intercultural Specialist within CBSC. 

Eagle, now working as a staff member within the College of Social Work, said she left her initial position within CBSC in August in hopes to avoid the predicted changes from Ohio Senate Bill 1. 

“SB 1 is so vague. It is incredibly broad,” said Eagle. ”It allows people who never wanted us to be here to sweep across the board and get rid of everything that they didn't want to have in the first place.”

Additionally, Eagle said her decision to change positions also allowed her to better prioritize her mental wellbeing. 

“I am in a much better mental health place not having to deal with the politics of OSU that do not care about minorities or marginalized students, “ said Eagle.

With these changes to the administration largely impacting students, Eagle said she hopes her words can inspire others to continue advocating and standing up for their beliefs, regardless of the policies implemented. 

“I want to show everybody that you do belong here no matter what the system says. We deserve to have an education, and we deserve to support each other.”