Students and faculty at Ohio State University are upset. They protested against President Ted Carter’s decision to close the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.
This announcement was made on Thursday. Carter said he is shutting down the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Belonging and Social Change in Student Life. Many students think this move is premature, especially given the ongoing challenges to DEI initiatives from both the state and federal governments.
Carter’s action was influenced by past decisions from the Trump administration and a new bill in the Ohio General Assembly that threatens to ban DEI programs and faculty strikes. Students voiced their concerns through a sit-in at the Center for Belonging and Social Change before marching to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Hale Hall to support the staff.
During the protest, students carried flags representing the LGBTQ+ community, along with flags from their own countries, demonstrating their cultural pride. Arianna Kelawala, a political science and women, gender, and sexuality studies major, expressed disappointment, saying, “It’s sad to see a university that values diversity give in so quickly before any law has even passed.”
Kelawala also noted that many students rely on scholarships that support multicultural backgrounds. Tania Linares-Escobar, a psychology and speech and hearing major, highlighted her worries for her younger brother, who is preparing to apply to college. She fears he might not have the same opportunities she had due to this decision.
Another protest organizer, Manu Flores, shared how the DEI offices helped him through tough times, including homelessness. He felt a sense of belonging after connecting with other students from his background. “I thought I was the only one on campus,” he said. “Finding my community changed everything for me.”
Freshman Luna Celeste-Fuentes, who hails from New York, mentioned her disappointment with the situation. She said, “If I knew this was happening, I wouldn’t have chosen to come here.” The uncertainty around her education left her contemplating other schools.
Faculty member Pranav Jani was also present at the demonstration. He believed that the university should stand firm in support of DEI initiatives instead of backing down. “People think this bill is a done deal, but it isn’t yet,” he remarked.
In response to the outcry, OSU spokesman Ben Johnson assured that the university is committed to maintaining free speech and expression on campus.
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