29-04-2025
Ohio University closing diversity offices, women and pride centers
ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio University announced Tuesday that it is sunsetting its diversity, equity and inclusion offices, including the Multicultural Center, Pride Center and Women's Center.
In a message to students, Ohio University President Lori Gonzalez said the university is closing its diversity offices as required by Senate Bill 1, which will go into effect in late June. Gonzalez said OHIO is eliminating all of its Diversity and Inclusion staff positions, and impacted staff have the opportunity to apply for other positions within the university or receive separation benefits. See previous coverage of Senate Bill 1 in the video player above.
'I hope you will all join me in recognizing and celebrating the lasting impact that the Division of Diversity and Inclusion – as well as all the staff members who have dedicated their time and talent to diversity and inclusion work at OHIO – will forever have on our University, on the students we serve, and on each of us,' Gonzalez said. 'We must work collectively to preserve the legacy of their work and carry it forever forward.'
The university is not removing any scholarships, as it already examined its diverse scholarships last year and ensured all were within compliance. The identity-relevant Templeton, Urban, Appalachian and Margaret Boyd Scholars programs are now moving to the Honors Tutorial College. Ohio University's LINKS program — a first year support program for students of cultural, social and location-based diverse backgrounds — will move to University College.
The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine's Office of Inclusion will also be retired, with the college's Office of Student Affairs taking on additional responsibilities. The Office of Accessibility Services, Veterans and Military Students Service Center and Office of Civil Rights Compliance will not be affected.
Gonzalez said the university will need input from students, faculty and staff who are passionate about inclusion and belonging as they go forward. She said the university hopes to build new support systems for students that are compliant with the law and still make students feel welcome.
'I want to be clear that the task ahead for all of us is not to look for ways to recreate the same approaches under a different name,' Gonzalez said. 'Rather, the charge is to invent something new that meets the moment and delivers results for our students.'
The change is required under Senate Bill 1, which bars public universities from having any diversity, equity or inclusion programs on campus.
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