News
‘Decisions Will Be Made’ On Ailes Signage
By: Susan Tebben
Posted on:
The placard outside the WOUB newsroom and Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism classroom in the RTV building has been discussed by staff, faculty, Graduate Student Senate and Student Senate already this week.
Now administration is commenting on calls for removal of the controversial signage.
More than $200,000 of Roger E. Ailes’ reported $500,000 donation to OU, made in 2007, helped renovate the journalism classroom and computer lab, along with the WOUB workspace.
Questions about keeping Ailes’ name on the wall between the two rooms came after news that Ailes had allegedly sexually harassed multiple women while the head of Fox News. He has since resigned as head of the company.
Recently, former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson settled her lawsuit against the company for $20 million and an unprecedented public apology from the company.
“Ohio University is carefully evaluating facts surrounding allegations against Roger E. Ailes as they come to light,” OU spokesperson Carly Glick said in a statement. “As a university, we must be deliberative when faced with matters of such great significance to our students, faculty and staff.”
Glick encouraged campus and community feedback on the matter and said “appropriate decisions will be made.”
“…But we need to exercise due diligence before we can act,” Glick wrote.
Some donors to WOUB Public Media and Scripps alumni have threatened to stop pledging support until the signage is removed. Neither the Scripps College of Communication, the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, nor WOUB can make the decision to remove Ailes’ name, according to officials.
“WOUB has no authority to make the decision in this matter,” said Tom Hodson, director of WOUB Public Media. “Any decision about the Ailes naming and the signage must be made by upper level administration.”
Complaints are being handled by Ohio University President Roderick McDavis’ office.