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USA Today
07-03-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Ohio State cut my DEI job. It's a betrayal of our social progress.
Ohio State cut my DEI job. It's a betrayal of our social progress. | Opinion DEI belongs to all of us. Its principles of equity, inclusion and respect are the cornerstones of a just society. We must protect them with everything we have. Show Caption Hide Caption Consumers to boycott companies retreating from DEI. Here's what we know. Consumers are planning to boycott certain companies retreating from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In 1968, 34 young people at Ohio State University refused to accept a world built on exclusion. They stood in Bricker Hall and demanded a better future – a future with Black faculty, fair housing and a place for African American studies. They paid the price with indictments, expulsions and years of struggle. But they left us a gift: the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which for 55 years has opened doors of opportunity that were once slammed shut. The closure of ODI marks more than the end of an institution; it is a betrayal of the courage and sacrifice of those who came before us. It unravels decades of progress and erases the tangible impact of initiatives like the Morrill Scholarship and the Young Scholars Program, which have provided hope and opportunity to countless students. Are we so blind to history, so indifferent to justice, that we can stand by as these legacies are dismantled? DEI is about all of us Too many see diversity, equity and inclusion through a distorted lens, believing it exists only to uplift racial minorities or LGBTQ+ individuals. That belief is not just wrong – it is a failure of compassion. DEI is all of us. It uplifts the veteran who has sacrificed so much and now seeks belonging in civilian life. It supports the rural student striving to overcome generational poverty. It champions the disabled professional breaking barriers in their field. It empowers the first-generation college student daring to rewrite their family's story. Opinion: In halting Trump ban on DEI, judge sides with patriotism for America DEI is not about division – it is about connection. It is about ensuring that no one is left behind, that every voice is heard, and that every person is treated with dignity. To dismantle DEI is to dismantle ourselves – the very values that make us human. It is a fight for humanity, for dignity, and for the collective soul of our society. At this pivotal moment, we are faced with a choice that will define us: Will we rise to the challenge of justice and compassion, or will we falter into silence and complicity? DEI initiatives are not merely programs – they are lifelines that transform lives and bridge the gaps of inequality. To tear them down is to abandon the dream of equity, and with it, the people who depend on it. DEI's fall warns of a greater collapse When DEI is stripped away, the impact is deeply personal. It is the student who no longer has a mentor to guide them through the labyrinth of higher education. It is the professional who feels unsupported, unseen and out of place in their workplace. It is the doors that once opened to opportunity now closed, as hope crumbles into despair. And make no mistake – this is only the beginning. What we see now is the first crack in a dam that has held back generations of inequity and exclusion. If we allow DEI to crumble, everything it has built will collapse into a heap of rubble, forgotten and buried. The bridges we have fought so hard to build, the opportunities created, the lives changed – all will be erased. The world will look as it did before, stark and unforgiving, and the progress we have made will become a distant memory. History judged the Ohio State 34. What will it say about you? History is not kind to those who remain silent in the face of injustice or complicit in its perpetuation. It will not forgive those who blindly follow without questioning or those who trade humanity for convenience. It will remember the inaction, the indifference, and the apathy. But it will also remember the brave – the ones who stood up, who spoke out, and who fought for what is right even when the odds were against them. Tell us: Did you vote for Trump? Do you support his actions and policies now? | Opinion Forum The OSU 34 were judged harshly in their time, but today we honor their courage. They show us that while the arc of justice may be long, it bends only because of those willing to push with all their might. Now it is our turn. Will we rise to the occasion, or will we allow ourselves to be remembered as the generation that let it all fall apart? Silence on DEI is a betrayal This is not a time for neutrality. Neutrality is complicity. Silence is betrayal. If we believe in justice, if we believe in the dignity of every human being, we must act. We must fight for DEI – not as a policy, but as a moral imperative, as a reflection of the kind of world we want to leave for future generations. DEI belongs to all of us. Its principles of equity, inclusion and respect are the cornerstones of a just society. We must protect them with everything we have. We owe it to the OSU 34. We owe it to the students and employees whose futures hang in the balance. And we owe it to ourselves. This is the moment to lead with empathy, to act with compassion, and to stand with courage. Let us not falter. Let us not be silent. Let us rise. Because the fight for DEI is the fight for the soul of our society. And it is a fight we cannot afford to lose. Marchem Pfeiffer is among 16 Ohio State University employees told their positions are being eliminated in response to President Donald Trump's DEI executive orders. This column originally appeared in the Columbus Dispatch.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio State University is closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion
On the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.) Ohio State University is closing their Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Life's Center for Belonging and Social Change. Ohio State President Ted Carter announced the changes during Thursday's University Senate meeting. Friday is the deadline for schools to comply with the U.S. Department of Education's Dear Colleague letter 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. 'The federal government has signaled its intent to enforce guidance invalidating the use of race in a broad range of educational activities, including by withdrawing federal dollars that are so important to our student, academic and operational success,' Carter said in a university statement. 'The Attorney General of Ohio – our statutory counsel – has advised us that his office concurs with the federal government's position regarding the use of race in educational activities.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Some of the services offered by the offices will transition between the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Life. 'We are announcing initial changes in order to maintain programs that support all students and remove barriers to their success,' Carter said. 'Our goal is to ensure that Ohio State continues to be a place where all are welcomed and treated with respect, while also following the letter and spirit of the laws and regulations that govern us.' Sixteen professional staff positions will be eliminated and student employees affected by these closures will be offered other jobs at the university, university spokesperson Ben Johnson said. 'No employee will lose their job for at least 60 days, and we will follow our standard practice of working with individuals to find other opportunities at Ohio State where possible,' Johnson said in an email. Carter acknowledged both offices have done important work for Ohio State over the years. Ohio State's Office of Diversity and Inclusion was founded in 1970. 'I know these decisions will be disappointing for many in our community, particularly as we navigate an already uncertain and challenging period,' Carter said in a statement. 'We may not know all the answers, but I have heard your concerns, I understand the varied emotions many on our campus are feeling.' Scholarships administered through the Office of Academic Affairs, such as the Morrill Scholarship Program and the Young Scholars Program, will continue. However, their eligibility criteria could be modified, according to the university. 'These changes will not reduce current student scholarships, financial aid or student employment,' Carter said. 'Every current student who has earned an award will retain their scholarship.' The Office of Institutional Equity will be renamed the Office of Civil Rights Compliance 'to more accurately reflect its work' and report to the Office of University Compliance and Integrity, the university said. 'The Office of Civil Rights Compliance will continue to serve as a university-wide resource for receiving, investigating and resolving all reports of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct,' the university said. The Ohio Student Association was disappointed with Ohio State's actions. 'It is incredibly disheartening to see that Ohio's public universities refuse to stand up for their students,' OSA said in a statement. 'Students suffer when our universities cower to the threat of extremist policies.' Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Ohio State University 'sunsets' offices amid ongoing review of diversity, equity and inclusion work
The Ohio State University (OSU) "sunset" its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Center for Belonging and Social Change on Friday. The office closures reportedly impacted 16 professional staff positions. The school said no worker will lose their position for at least 60 days and that it will help find impacted employees internal jobs where available, WBNS reported. OSU President Ted Carter announced the closures on Thursday, citing federal law that enforces universities to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures on campus. "The federal government has signaled its intent to enforce guidance invalidating the use of race in a broad range of educational activities, including by withdrawing federal dollars that are so important to our student, academic and operational success," Carter wrote in a message posted to the OSU website. Ag Bondi Dismisses Dei Lawsuits Brought Against Police, Fire Departments Under Biden Administration "Here in Ohio, a bill barring DEI is also making its way through the legislature, and the Attorney General of Ohio — our statutory counsel — has advised us that his office concurs with the federal government's position regarding the use of race in educational activities," he said. Read On The Fox News App Scholarships administered by the Office of Academic Affairs will adjust their eligibility criteria. The programming and services offered by Student Life's Center for Belonging and Social Change were set to end Friday. "We will sunset the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) along with some of its services, effective February 28, 2025. 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 added. OSU's Hale Black Cultural Center, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and "other DEI-related units at the university are currently under the president's review," according to OSU's student newspaper, The Lantern. Group Of Dei Workers Sue To Stop Trump Executive Orders Carter's announcement comes after the Trump administration released a memo Feb. 14 with guidance that colleges and universities end DEI-related mandates, policies and programs. If the institutions fail to comply, they could face the loss of federal funding, per the civil rights office of the Department of Education. Trump in January signed an executive order terminating DEI "discrimination" in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture The executive order directed every department and agency to end "private sector DEI discrimination," including civil compliance investigations. In December, the University of Michigan announced it would no longer "solicit diversity statements as part of faculty hiring, promotion and tenure." Other universities that nixed DEI include Northeastern University, Missouri State University and West Virginia University. Many proponents of DEI argue that the effort corrects historical injustices and systemic article source: The Ohio State University 'sunsets' offices amid ongoing review of diversity, equity and inclusion work
Fox News
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
The Ohio State University 'sunsets' offices amid ongoing review of diversity, equity and inclusion work
The Ohio State University (OSU) "sunset" its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Center for Belonging and Social Change on Friday. The office closures reportedly impacted 16 professional staff positions. The school said no worker will lose their position for at least 60 days and that it will help find impacted employees internal jobs where available, WBNS reported. OSU President Ted Carter announced the closures on Thursday, citing federal law that enforces universities to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures on campus. "The federal government has signaled its intent to enforce guidance invalidating the use of race in a broad range of educational activities, including by withdrawing federal dollars that are so important to our student, academic and operational success," Carter wrote in a message posted to the OSU website. "Here in Ohio, a bill barring DEI is also making its way through the legislature, and the Attorney General of Ohio — our statutory counsel — has advised us that his office concurs with the federal government's position regarding the use of race in educational activities," he said. Scholarships administered by the Office of Academic Affairs will adjust their eligibility criteria. The programming and services offered by Student Life's Center for Belonging and Social Change were set to end Friday. "We will sunset the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) along with some of its services, effective February 28, 2025. 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 added. OSU's Hale Black Cultural Center, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and "other DEI-related units at the university are currently under the president's review," according to OSU's student newspaper, The Lantern. Carter's announcement comes after the Trump administration released a memo Feb. 14 with guidance that colleges and universities end DEI-related mandates, policies and programs. If the institutions fail to comply, they could face the loss of federal funding, per the civil rights office of the Department of Education. Trump in January signed an executive order terminating DEI "discrimination" in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending. The executive order directed every department and agency to end "private sector DEI discrimination," including civil compliance investigations. In December, the University of Michigan announced it would no longer "solicit diversity statements as part of faculty hiring, promotion and tenure." Other universities that nixed DEI include Northeastern University, Missouri State University and West Virginia University. Many proponents of DEI argue that the effort corrects historical injustices and systemic inequities.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio State cuts diversity offices, programming
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio State University announced its next steps in reviewing the institution's diversity, equity and inclusion policies, which will include discontinuing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and modifying scholarships geared toward students of diverse backgrounds. In a message to students, faculty and staff on Thursday, Ohio State President Ted Carter laid out initial steps to comply with new state and federal directives about higher education. To start, Carter said, the university is closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion, discontinuing the programming and services under Student Life's Center for Belonging and Social Change, and renaming the Office of Institutional Equity to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. Carter said these decisions will not affect current student scholarships or financial aid. It will modify the eligibility for scholarship programs like the Morrill Scholarship or Young Scholars Program. The Morrill Scholarship is historically awarded to students who will actively engage in diversity-based leadership, and the Young Scholars Program is geared toward first-generation, low income underrepresented students. Fort Rapids waterpark may finally be sold after legal hurdle cleared Carter also said the university will work with anyone employed under discontinued departments, student or staff, to find new university employment opportunities. He also confirmed all students would be offered alternative jobs. However, the university acknowledged these decisions will result in some position eliminations. Carter said the decision came because of federal threats to withdraw funding if DEI programs continued, including a memo from President Donald Trump's administration with a Friday deadline to eliminate diversity programs. He also said Ohio's Senate Bill 1, which would ban DEI on college campuses and passed in the Senate on Feb. 12, is making its way through the legislature. 'The Attorney General of Ohio – our statutory counsel – has advised us that his office concurs with the federal government's position regarding the use of race in educational activities,' Carter said. Senate Bill 1 has not yet passed in the House of Representatives, and teachers unions are challenging Trump's directive, alleging it violates the First and Fifth Amendments. Ohio State's Office of Diversity and Inclusion oversees the university's Black cultural center, Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male, Women's center and a variety of diverse programs geared toward uplifting minority students. It also housed the Morill and Young Scholars programs, which will be transferred to the Office of Academic Affairs. The Center for Belonging and Social Change offered workshops, grants and networking opportunities to ensure all students live and learn on a welcoming campus, according to its website. According to the website's 'About Us' page, which does not mention diversity, race or gender, the center discussed civic engagement and social change. Fort Rapids waterpark may finally be sold after legal hurdle cleared Ohio State faculty and students have spoken out against legislation like S.B. 1, telling lawmakers, Ohio State officials, and NBC4 that they felt legislation barring DEI would harm higher education. 'If S.B. 1 succeeds in Ohio, it will embolden politicians everywhere to kill higher education under the guise of 'neutrality,'' Sabrina Estevez, a second-year student at Ohio State, said. 'This is a warning: the fight for academic freedom isn't just Ohio's fight, it's America's fight.' 'These are difficult conversations, as we knew they would be. All of higher education is facing a challenging environment,' Carter said. 'Nonetheless, I continue to believe that the best course for our university is to take actions proactively so that we can manage this new landscape in ways that best uphold the values of excellence, access and opportunity that we hold dear.' The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Belonging and Social Change will both be discontinued starting Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
