Latest news with #BlackAlumniReunion
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's how every public university in Ohio is preparing for Senate Bill 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio's public universities have less than two months until Senate Bill 1 goes into effect, and they have a spectrum of responses underway. Senate Bill 1, dubbed the Advance Higher Education Act, will go into effect at the end of June. The bill implements dramatic changes to higher education by banning diversity, equity and inclusion programming, restricting faculty union abilities and requiring universities to sunset majors with low degree conferral rates. Ohio's 14 public universities are now tasked with implementing major changes, and NBC4 is tracking how they are working to comply with SB 1. Southwest Licking rejects levy; board member says another attempt likely Ohio universities said they are collaborating among themselves and speaking with state legislators to ensure they understand all that SB 1 requires. The bill is lengthy but still somewhat ambiguous, especially as it does not define diversity, equity or inclusion. See previous coverage of SB 1 in the video player above. Senate Bill 1 is state law, but federal orders from President Donald Trump, the Department of Education and various research-granting departments also complicate university operations. These directives are wide-ranging but typically target DEI efforts on campuses or alleged antisemitism. To keep up with the wavering guidelines, many institutions have implemented a webpage keeping students informed about relevant legislative changes. Some institutions have also cancelled events promoting DEI, such as Ohio University's Black Alumni Reunion, or quietly removed references to DEI on university websites. Universities have varied dramatically in their communication with students, faculty and staff regarding changes. Many universities have said DEI offices may need to be restructured, but have not formally announced a plan. With plenty of announcements revealing vague proposals, only a few universities have formally announced major changes. NBC4 also reached out to each public university to ask them about SB 1 changes. Find your school below: Akron's Senior Director of External Communications Cristine Boyd said the university's Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL) is hosting a faculty session to discuss how SB 1 may affect teaching. At the event, faculty will hear from university leadership, who will provide updates from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Akron has not announced any major changes yet, although it did not renew its Rethinking Race series for this upcoming year. 'A faculty panel will then share their perspectives on teaching within the context of the new law, and ITL will offer suggestions for syllabus language, assignment design and classroom discussion framing,' Boyd said. Last Friday, BSGU's Board of Trustees passed five resolutions to comply with Senate Bill 1. The resolutions affirmed commitment to intellectual autonomy, disbanding DEI programs, adjusted faculty workload policy, established a new set of questions for faculty evaluations, and created new evaluation policies. Whitehall residents successfully take council-approved tax breaks to a citizen vote BGSU's president addressed students and staff after SB 1 passed, acknowledging that change may be coming and asking for campus feedback. BGSU has a Division of Inclusion and Belonging to support all students, which a spokesperson clarified is different than an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. BGSU said it is still working to identify which identity-specific programming needs adjusted or removed. As Ohio's only public Historically Black College and University, Central State is in a unique position with S.B. 1. So far, the university has said it believes it is already in compliance with the law and has not announced changes. 'At this time, the university has no comment regarding this matter.' Alissa Paolella, Central State communications manager, said. Cleveland State has not announced closure of its Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, although that may not qualify as a DEI office under SB 1. The university did not respond to NBC4's inquiry and has not made information available online regarding SB 1. However, students at Cleveland State have hosted several protests against the bill, both before and after its passage. The university shared an update on April 24 thanking students and staff for their patience as plans for the four campus identity centers are being finalized. The update said the university hopes to restructure their student-centered spaces to promote connections between students. However, the update did not include any major changes or announcements. 'To be clear, these spaces may need to transition in terms of programming but will remain in use for and by our current and future students,' the letter read. Kent State President Todd Diacon has been involved in many discussions about SB 1, but the university is still determining how it will be implemented. Kent State hosted four discussions in April about the new bill, inviting dialogue in townhall-style meetings. Director of University Media Relations Emily Vincent said Diacon estimates SB 1 will cost Kent State $1.5 million-$2 million to implement each year. 'We will follow the law, but it won't change our commitment to each member of our community,' Diacon said. On April 18, Miami announced it is discontinuing its Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence, its Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and Miami Regionals Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Representatives said all impacted staff have been offered other opportunities elsewhere in the university. Ohio bill offers protection for off-label prescriptions Miami said more information about specific changes will be shared once plans are finalized. NEOMED President Dr. John Langell said the university is already in compliance with most of the bill. Although the university used to have a diversity office, that office quietly closed in the past few years. Spokespersons did not address NBC4's inquiry as to when that shuttered. In March, NEOMED announced it would no longer provide university support to student organizations with diverse missions, although they have since walked that decision back due to backlash. 'We are continuing to support all of our student organizations, while ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. Above all, we remain dedicated to providing an Exceptional Student Experience, empowering students to realize their full potential as Ohio's future healthcare leaders,' Langell said. Ohio State was the first university to announce changes in compliance with Senate Bill 1. In February, before the bill's passage, OSU referenced SB 1 in its decision to sunset its diversity offices. OSU faculty and students have been outspoken against the bill, and the university said it advocated for changes to SB 1 to protect academic freedom. The university established an implementation committee with representatives from across campuses to facilitate compliance with the bill. OSU said it will engage stakeholders while deciding how to best comply with the law. Ohio University leadership has invited student and staff input while weighing SB 1's effects. On April 29, the university announced it would close its diversity offices, and women and pride centers to comply with the law. In the announcement, President Lori Gonzalez asked for student and staff feedback to create new spaces to advance equity while remaining in compliance with the law. The university established six work groups to help implement different SB 1 requirements. Read previous coverage of Ohio University's response to SB 1 here. Shawnee State has released limited information about its SB 1 compliance. It did have a DEI resources page, but clicking the link leads to a blocked webpage. It also used to have an Office of Diversity and Inclusion, but clicking that link leads to an Office of Student Engagement. Shawnee State did not respond to NBC4's inquiry about SB 1 or these online changes, and it has not announced updates publicly. Toledo announced it will stop accepting admissions to nine undergraduate majors to comply with low conferral rate requirements: Africana studies, Asian studies, data analytics, disability studies, Middle East studies, philosophy, religious studies, Spanish and Women's and Gender Studies. Toledo spokesperson Nicki Gorny said the changes were announced April 21 so faculty could be made aware before summer. All students in those programs will be able to finish their degrees, and the programs will be offered as minors. 'The University continues to evaluate our campus policies and procedures as it relates to SB1. UToledo, along with other colleges and universities in our state, is engaged with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Inter-University Council of Ohio for guidance,' Gorny said. Wright State has an Office of Diversity Initiatives, but appears to have already adjusted its Office of Equity and Inclusion. A link listing the Office of Equity and Inclusion now leads to a page about the office of the vice president. Earlier this week, that same link went to an Office of Inclusive Excellence but has since been changed. Wright State has not publicly announced any changes under SB 1 and did not respond to NBC4's inquiry. However, its culture and identity centers still appear intact. Youngstown State also did not respond to NBC4's inquiry and has not announced any SB 1 changes. As listed in the 2024-2025 undergraduate student catalog, Youngstown State had an office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the start of the school year. However, the link now leads to a page that reads 'you are not authorized to access this page.' Educators at Youngstown State are responding differently, however. Faculty members organized to take Senate Bill 1 to a referendum vote, allowing citizens to vote on whether to implement SB 1 with enough signatures. On Monday, faculty and other organizers were given state permission to begin collecting the more than 250,000 signatures needed to get SB 1 on the ballot. Organizers have until June 25 to collect and submit valid signatures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio University Black alumni plan own reunion after DEI concerns canceled event
ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) — Anti-DEI legislation stopped Ohio University from hosting its Black Alumni Reunion, but it did not stop Black alumni, who corralled community support and planned the event themselves. With just over a month's notice, Ohio University placed the Black Alumni Reunion on hold on March 5, citing threats to university funding if it did not comply with anti-DEI orders. Alumni, community organizations and students joined forces in response to the decision, planning a Black Alumni Weekend for April 10-13, the same weekend the university-sponsored reunion had been scheduled for. 'Through a weekend of networking, mentorship, and celebration, we honor the rich legacy of Black and Brown excellence at Ohio University,' the Black Alumni Weekend website states. 'By partnering with local businesses, the city of Athens, and fellow alumni, we ensure that our traditions thrive beyond campus boundaries.' Owner of Browns, Crew seeks state funds after donating to legislators Ohio University paused the event after orders from the Department of Education to pause DEI services aligned with fears that Senate Bill 1, which bans DEI in higher education in Ohio, would complicate matters. In years past, the triennial event was second only to homecoming for Ohio alumni gatherings. Hundreds of Bobcats had planned to attend before they got word it was cancelled. See previous coverage of the cancellation in the video player above. 'My initial reaction was definitely feeling hurt, disappointed, upset – a combination of all three of those feelings,' Ohio University alumnae Brandi Baker said. Baker, a two-time Ohio alumnae and former university employee in roles progressing diversity efforts, first spoke with NBC4 in March, voicing her frustration with the decision. Shortly after, Baker took that disappointment and channeled it into productivity, hosting a virtual town hall to address Ohio University's decision. 'We had over 100 alumni join the call from all over the world: people from Germany and people who live in Africa right now, and people from all over who are concerned about what has happened and what is happening with the institution and within the state of Ohio,' Baker said. Students worry Ohio's anti-DEI law will inhibit their programs Attendees included Athens city officials and many alumni, who overwhelmingly said they still wanted the event to happen. Baker, who had founded the Racial Equity Coalition of Appalachia several years prior, was able to use the coalition's resources to help plan the event in a matter of weeks. Organizers met daily, bringing in help from the city. 'We've had amazing local business owners who definitely were also disappointed about hearing how the university handled things, and they were very supportive,' Baker said. Baker said donations allowed several events to be free for attendees, and the reunion has been promoted by Athens County tourism organizations. Local bars offered to host deals or events, and the Athens County Foundation offered a grant and set up a fund for donations. The weekend began Thursday evening and continues through Sunday with more than two dozen free and ticketed events. A full schedule can be found here and features networking opportunities, a cookout, the traditional reunion Variety Show and opportunities to embrace Athens' Black history. 'People of color in Appalachia — that's not really something typical that people think about when they think about rural areas in Ohio,' Baker said. 'They don't think that it also includes people of color, but it does.' What's in, out of the Ohio budget? There is a prolific history of Black communities who settled in and around Athens. Alumni can tour the Tablertown People of Color Museum during the reunion, a nearby museum run by one local man who has dedicated his time to preserving Black history in the region. Several other events will take place at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, a historically Black church noted for its priceless stained glass windows that is undergoing preservation efforts. Baker said this history combined with the legacy of Black alumni to shape the celebratory reunion. She said she expects hundreds of alumni to attend this weekend. The event even has shirts — also a partnership with a local business — including one that sums up organizers' feelings: 'you can't cancel what you didn't create.' 'I'm very thankful, and it definitely is showing diversity, equity and inclusion in action,' Baker said. 'So I really appreciate all of the support from our community and Athens, and I'm looking forward to an exciting weekend.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump threats have led to cancelled university events for women and Black alumni in Ohio
Alumni Gateway at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. (Stock photo from Getty Images.) Two Ohio universities are not going forward with campus events in response to the U.S. Department of Education's 'Dear Colleague' letter threatening university funding and resources, as well as pending legislation in the Ohio Statehouse. Ohio University canceled its annual Black Alumni Reunion, which was scheduled for April 10-13, and OU's Lancaster campus canceled its Celebrate Women event scheduled for Friday in honor of Women's History Month. The University of Akron decided not to budget for their Rethinking Race forum, a series of events that was historically held in February, but was moved to a fall event last year, university spokesperson Cristine Boyd said. No programming has been scheduled for the fall. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'While the University offers a variety of events for students and the community, we must do so in the context of a state institution that is required to abide by law, regulations and guidance at both the federal and state levels, from which we receive funding,' the university said in a statement. 'As a result of that guidance, the University has decided not to budget for Rethinking Race this year.' Ohio State University closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Life's Center for Belonging and Social Change last month. On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education issued a 'Dear Colleague' letter to higher education institutions and K-12 schools that threatened to rescind federal funds for schools that use race-conscious practices in admissions, programming, training, hiring, scholarships, and other aspects of student life. Feb. 28 was the deadline for schools to comply. In the Ohio Statehouse, Senate Bill 1 would ban diversity and inclusion programs, put diversity scholarships at risk, and restrict classroom discussion, among other things. The Senate passed the bill last month and it is up for a possible vote out of the Ohio House Higher Education and Workforce Committee Wednesday morning, meaning it could go to a full House vote as soon as Wednesday afternoon. Both university statements announcing their event cancellations mentioned the letter and 'proposed State of Ohio legislation.' 'Ohio University is reviewing programming that includes elements that may not comply with the recent guidance,' the university said in a statement about the women's event. 'When necessary, the University is placing events on hold to allow time to review program elements and reimagine events as and if necessary to ensure compliance.' Ohio University's Black Alumni Reunion has been going on for more than 40 years. 'While this is difficult news to share, we remain committed to honoring the legacy and accomplishments of Ohio University's Black alumni,' said Terry Frazier and Jillian Causey, co-chairs of the Black Alumni Reunion Alumni Planning Committee. 'We will continue working with the University to develop a plan that aligns with evolving federal and state guidelines while preserving the significance of this gathering.' Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said she was disappointed the reunion had to be canceled. 'In light of changes to federal and state guidance, we will need to think differently about some of the ways that we live out our mission and vision,' she said in a statement. The Ohio University Celebrate Women Event has been going on for nearly two decades and is designed to 'promote and advance gender equity by recognizing the past, present, and future achievements of women from diverse ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds,' according to the event page. 'We are disappointed that we need to put this longstanding event on hold, and we will continue to be committed to providing a space for accomplished women leaders to connect with and inspire our students, staff and alumni,' said Ohio University Executive Vice President and Provost Don Leo. 'We deeply appreciate the sponsors involved who have helped make this event possible, and we look forward to partnering on future events.' Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio University Lancaster pauses Women's History Month event, citing Trump DEI directives
Ohio University is pausing a National Women's History Month event at one of its regional campuses, citing Trump administration directives and proposed state legislation. Ohio University Lancaster will no longer hold its Celebrate Women 2025 event, scheduled for March 21, the university said in a press release. "In light of recent guidance from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and proposed State of Ohio legislation, Ohio University is reviewing programming that includes elements that may not comply with the recent guidance," according to the press release. "When necessary, the University is placing events on hold to allow time to review program elements and reimagine events as and if necessary to ensure compliance." The event aimed "to promote and advance gender equity by recognizing the past, present, and future achievements of women from diverse ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We believe this is achieved through education, enlightenment, and inspiration," according to its webpage. This would've been the conference's 19th-annual event. Study up on education news: Subscribe to The Dispatch's weekly education newsletter Extra Credit 'We are disappointed that we need to put this longstanding event on hold, and we will continue to be committed to providing a space for accomplished women leaders to connect with and inspire our students, staff and alumni,' said Ohio University Provost Don Leo. 'We deeply appreciate the sponsors involved who have helped make this event possible, and we look forward to partnering on future events.' The news comes days after Ohio University said it was canceling it Black Alumni Reunion scheduled for April. Ohio University cited the changes as a direct result of several mandates from the Trump administration to wipe DEI practices from colleges and universities. In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent on Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education gave schools an ultimatum: Eliminate "race-based decision-making" from their campuses by the end of the month or risk losing federal funding. Schools must stop considering race in "decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life," according to the letter. Though the department has shared more guidance since the deadline on what programs need to end — and confirming that schools would not immediately lost federal funding if the U.S. Department of Education thinks they've broken anti-discrimination laws — many schools continue to make changes in line with the letter's asks. In lieu of OU Lancaster's Celebrate Women conference, a group of community leaders are planning an alternate event for the same day.'We Rally & We Rise Women's Conference' will be held at Crossroads Event Center from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is not affiliated with Ohio University. Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter, here. shendrix@ @sheridan120 This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio University pauses Women's History Month event amid Trump DEI bans
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio University pauses Celebrate Women conference
ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) — Just days after Ohio University announced that it had put the Black Alumni Reunion on hold, the university's Lancaster campus has now paused its annual Celebrate Women conference, citing concerns that its programming may not comply with new federal guidelines. The event was set to take place on March 21, in honor of Women's History Month. People said that after the Black Alumni Reunion was paused, they anticipated other events would follow that same fate. 'I was disappointed, but not surprised,' said Michelle Calloway, an Ohio University alum. She believes that cancellation of the Celebrate Women event is a result of the 'Dear Colleague' letter the university received from the federal government. That letter was released on Feb. 14 and gave public school districts and universities two weeks to stop any programs teaching about systemic racism. 'Women's history events typically tend to fall under DEI as well, so I think they were just kind of going down the gamut of what was next and trying to play it safe,' Calloway said. Calloway said celebrating Women's History Month was a huge part of her time at the school during her undergrad days. She's worried that more events like Celebrate Women may be paused in the future. 'One of our main buildings on the campus was named after a woman, a really impactful female graduate,' Calloway said. 'We have one of our scholarships that was named after the first Black woman to graduate from the university.' The Celebrate Women event is in its 19th year. Event organizers said that it has sold out the past couple of years. In a letter announcing its decision, the university referenced recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. The OU Executive Vice President Don Leo said in the letter, 'We are disappointed that we need to put this longstanding event on hold, and we will continue to be committed to providing a space for accomplished women leaders to connect with and inspire our students, staff and alumni.' 'Seeing this in this way is disheartening because I know the students really won't be able to celebrate it at that magnitude,' Calloway said. Universities across Ohio have been concerned about not only federal efforts to target DEI programs but also state efforts, namely a bill passed by the Ohio Senate that would target DEI programs at public Ohio universities. That bill is now in the Ohio House. 'I think we'll see fairly swift action in the House on the bill,' Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman said. 'It is true that much of this has been litigated over the past two, or even four years, and I think there has been a change of mindset among many.' A former Republican state lawmaker said he doesn't necessarily believe the Celebrate Women's conference needed to be canceled, but believes the overall issue is another way to blame President Donald Trump. 'That's not the way I see it,' Calloway said. 'I see, I think and I'll just be very honest, it's been the Trump administration that has made it very clear where they stand with these events.' The letter from the university said that all registration fees and sponsorships will be automatically refunded. NBC4 reached out to Ohio University for comment, but we have not heard back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
