Ohio University to Shutter DEI Offices in Compliance with New State Law

Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, will close all offices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) after the spring 2025 semester, aligning with a new state law that prohibits such programs at public universities receiving state funding. The decision, announced via email by President Lori Stewart Gonzalez on April 29, 2025, responds to Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which bans DEI initiatives and imposes other restrictions on Ohio's public higher education institutions.

The closures affect offices such as the Pride Center, Women's Center, and Multicultural Center, which have been integral to supporting diverse student populations. However, the Office of Accessibility Services and the Veterans and Military Students Center will remain operational, as they are exempt from the law's restrictions. "We must continue to ensure every person we invite to be a part of our University community finds their place here and develops connections. Without forgetting that essential commitment, we must also follow the law," Gonzalez wrote in her email to the university community.

SB 1, passed by the Ohio Senate in February 2025 and signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in March, is part of a broader push to eliminate DEI programs in higher education. The legislation, effective June 26, 2025, also bans faculty strikes, mandates "intellectual diversity" on controversial topics, and requires a civics course focused on U.S. history and free-market principles. The law's passage followed intense opposition, with over 700 groups and individuals testifying against it and student protests at Ohio University and other campuses. On February 27, 2025, over 1,000 Ohio University students walked out of classes, demanding transparency about SB 1's impact on DEI programs.

The decision to close DEI offices aligns with federal and state pressures. President Donald Trump's administration has prioritized eliminating DEI, with an executive order signed in April 2025 directing accreditors to stop applying DEI requirements to colleges. Ohio University's move follows similar actions by other institutions, such as Ohio State University, which closed two DEI offices and eliminated 16 staff positions in February 2025 in response to Trump administration directives.

The closure has sparked concern among students and faculty. Earlier protests highlighted fears that eliminating DEI programs would harm marginalized students and alter the university's inclusive culture. Community leaders in Athens have begun organizing alternatives, such as a women's conference to replace one canceled by the university, signaling grassroots efforts to preserve diversity initiatives.

Ohio University's administration has not detailed plans for reallocating DEI staff or resources, but Gonzalez emphasized compliance with the law while maintaining a commitment to community inclusivity. The closures mark a significant shift for the university, which has historically celebrated diverse identities through its Division of Diversity and Inclusion.