Ohio U’s response to DEI

Photo via Lily Franks/The New Political

Federal and state attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives in education have heightened in recent months. With President Donald Trump’s executive orders since his inauguration paired with legislation coming out of Ohio’s statehouse, public universities are having to rapidly adjust and cut certain programs to abide by these new restrictions. 

State Restrictions

Ohio Senate Bill 1, dubbed the “Enact Advance Ohio Higher Education Act,” proposes the elimination of DEI programs and initiatives within Ohio public schools — from preschools to higher education institutions. 

Despite widespread opposition, on March 26, the bill passed through Congress and was sent to Gov. Mike DeWine to either be signed into law or vetoed within ten days. If DeWine signs it, schools would have 90 days to enact the bill or would risk losing state funding. 

Federal Restrictions

In February, the Department of Education issued directives in its “Dear Colleague” and subsequent clarification letter, prohibiting schools that receive federal funding from “using 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.”

“Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices,” the letter stated. “Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them — particularly during the last four years — under the banner of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (‘DEI’), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline.” 

Schools that defy this order could potentially face a loss of federal funding. 

University Response

As public universities tend to heavily rely on state and federal funding, most will be required to follow these new restrictions on DEI to remain operational. On March 3, after protests demanding communication from administration on how these restrictions will impact student life at Ohio University, Ohio U President Lori Stewart Gonzalez shared a message explaining that — in response to the “Dear Colleague” letter — certain policies, awards and services would be reviewed and adjusted. 

In regards to Senate Bill 1, another message was shared on March 26, after the bill passed fully through Ohio Congress, that stated: “Ohio University chose not to preempt the legislative process by making broad-sweeping changes before this legislation becomes law. Now, we must prepare to achieve compliance within the 90-day implementation period allowed by the state, following the Governor’s signature.” 

What these changes will fully encompass has not yet been made entirely clear. However, certain DEI programming has already been halted. On March 4, the university announced the Black Alumni Reunion would be put on hold in order to adjust the event to abide by federal restrictions. Students are attempting to organize an event, separate from the university, called Black Alumni Weekend in place of the postponed event.