Ohio University students walked out of class to demand administrators be transparent about the future of diversity, equity and inclusion
By: Reese Thompson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Over a thousand Ohio University students walked out of class Thursday to demand transparency from university leadership regarding the potential impact of new laws on diversity, equity and inclusion. The demonstration was part of similar protests at universities nationwide as state and federal lawmakers increasingly target diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“Nobody should have to write something for you in a situation like this,” Edwards said. “You should be able to come out here and speak what comes right to your head.”
Earlier this month, Ohio University President Lori Gonzalez released a statement acknowledging the university’s obligation to comply with state law but did not indicate any plans to challenge it. For Edwards and many others, this response was insufficient.
Protesters called on university officials to provide clear information about how Ohio’s Senate Bill 1 will affect students, faculty, curriculum, and campus resources if passed and signed into law. Proponents of SB 1 say will stop liberal indoctrination in universities by banning most diversity programs and faculty strikes, and requiring post-tenure performance reviews, a civics course focused on American history and free market capitalism and “intellectual diversity” in discussion of issues the bill describes as controversial.
“We understand that she has to comply,” Edwards said. “But I also feel like there should be some type of fight before you comply.”
The protest began at Peden Stadium and traveled through campus to Cutler Hall on College Green where Gonzalez’s office is located demanding that she address them directly.
Gonzalez did not address the demonstrators— something her predecessor did when a similar bill was going through the Ohio House four years ago.
The walkout and subsequent rally saw students from diverse backgrounds coming together in solidarity.
Inspired by similar demonstrations at schools such as the University of Cincinnati, students at Ohio University emphasized the importance of standing firm against policies that they believe undermine educational values.
Ohio State University announced it sunset or rework its diversity, equity and inclusion programs as a result of SB 1 and directives from the Trump Administration, who warned all educational institutes that if they don’t eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives by Friday, they would get cut from federal funding.
Ohio University is one of the only large universities in the state to not yet completely terminate its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
“It kind of shows that they’re money-hungry,” Edwards said, referring to universities that comply without resistance. “It shows that the universities who are complying just want their money.”
WOUB reached out to Ohio University for a statement regarding Thursday’s demonstration but did not receive a response by time of publication.