Editors’ Note: This story has been updated to include additional quotes from university officials.
Ohio University officials have responded to the recent controversy surrounding WOUB's Roger E. Ailes Newsroom.
After both OU's Graduate Student Senate and Student Senate discussed the possibility of renaming the newsroom at their meetings this week, OU Spokeswoman Carly Glick said the university is acknowledging the feedback.
"Appropriate decisions will be made, but we need to exercise due diligence before we can act," Glick said in an email.
The Roger E. Ailes Newsroom was dedicated to Ailes, an OU alumnus, as a result of a $500,000 donation he made to the university in 2007. He agreed to pay in full within five years, according to the gift agreement, obtained via a public records request.
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More than 20 women have accused Ailes, the former Fox News chairman and CEO, of sexual harassment.
Tuesday, Fox News' parent company reached a $20 million settlement with Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox news anchor who sued Ailes over sexual harassment allegations in July. The company has also settled with at least two other women, according to The New York Times.
OU is evaluating the facts surrounding the allegations against Ailes, Glick said.
"As a university, we must be deliberative when faced with matters of such great significance to our students, faculty and staff," Glick said.
OU President Roderick McDavis did not comment on the Roger E. Ailes Newsroom and the recent controversy Friday after a meeting between university and city officials.
Robert Stewart, director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, said he encourages people to share their concerns with OU President Roderick McDavis.
"The School of Journalism was not involved in the naming decision, and has no authority to change the name," Stewart said in an email.
WOUB Director Tom Hodson said WOUB also does not have the authority to make a decision on the possible removal of Ailes' name from the newsroom.
"Any decision about the Ailes naming and the signage must be made by upper level administration," Hodson said in an email.
OU's Graduate Student Senate passed a resolution Tuesday night to propose taking Ailes' name off the WOUB newsroom, and OU's Student Senate also discussed removing his name at its Wednesday night meeting.
On Wednesday, after the GSS meeting, the executives sent letters to McDavis, Trustee Chair David Wolfort, Hodson and Scripps College of Communication Dean Scott Titsworth explaining the resolution and their concern with the newsroom's current name.
Vice President for Student Affairs Jason Pina also did not comment about the Roger E. Ailes Newsroom, but he did commend students who spoke out this week about the controversy.
“I’m proud of how serious the students take their responsibility and how proactive they are around any issue really,” Pina said.
