Ohio State shares initial reorganization, continuing review of diversity, equity and inclusion programs

The Ohio State University continues to monitor and review legislation and executive actions brought forth at state and federal levels of government, including those focused on programming related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

In a message to Ohio State students, faculty and staff today, President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. announced the next steps in an ongoing review of DEI programs.

“We have seen a number of developments at both the state and federal levels regarding DEI in public education. 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. “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.”

Effective Feb. 28, 2025, the university’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will sunset along with some of its services. Scholarships administered through the Office of Academic Affairs, including the Morrill Scholarship Program and the Young Scholars Program, will be maintained, but their eligibility criteria may be modified to ensure compliance with the law. The programming and services offered by the Office of Student Life’s Center for Belonging and Social Change will be discontinued effective Feb. 28, 2025. 

These actions will result in some position eliminations, and the university will follow its usual practice in working with impacted employees to find other opportunities at Ohio State where possible. All student employees affected by these changes will be offered alternative jobs at the university. The university is communicating directly to impacted students, faculty and staff to provide additional details and support.

“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.”

Some services from both of these areas that are open to students from all backgrounds will be transitioned between the Office of Academic Affairs and Office of Student Life, and staff who run these programs will be retained. 

“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.”

Additionally, the Office of Institutional Equity will be renamed the Office of Civil Rights Compliance to more accurately reflect its work. 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 – and will report to the Office of University Compliance and Integrity.

"Ohio State has always been a place where every member of our community matters, where each of us is seen and heard, and where we all have opportunities to succeed,” Carter said. “We will continue to celebrate the richness of backgrounds and ideas that makes us strong, and to uphold the time-honored value of academic freedom that has long defined the excellence of America’s universities.”

The university has launched an online resource for information on legislative and executive actions at all levels of government that impact the university community. This resource will continue to be updated as needed, and currently includes guidance on federally funded research, immigration and more.