Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez released an email Tuesday updating students about the effects of the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act on university programs and offices.
Gonzalez said via email the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act requires the university to stop operating a Division of Diversity and Inclusion, which means the Multicultural Center, the Pride Center and the Women’s Center will have to shut their doors. These programs will be phased out over the next several weeks.
“As shared with staff in each of the impacted offices this morning, these changes will necessitate the elimination of all positions within the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and other staff positions in the University dedicated primarily to diversity and inclusion work,” Gonzalez said in an email.
One immediate change being implemented is Student Affairs will expand its support for student organizations and university events, including the Make Respect Visible initiative.
Another immediate change is support for the Templeton, Urban, Appalachian and Margaret Boyd Scholars programs being moved to the Honors Tutorial College. The LINKS program will move to University College.
At the end of the semester, the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Office of Inclusion will shut down, and expanded support will be provided to medical students by the Heritage College Office of Student Affairs.
“Employees will continue in their current roles for the next several weeks and will be given the opportunity to interview for any open University position for which they apply and meet minimum qualifications,” Gonzalez said in an email. “They will receive full separation benefits should they not find other opportunities at OHIO.”
The Office of Accessibility Services, Veterans and Military Students Service Center and Office of Civil Rights Compliance will not be affected by the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act.
Gonzalez said the university is looking for input from students, faculty and staff who are passionate about inclusion. Methods for providing input will be available both in person and remotely.
“I hope you will all join me in recognizing and celebrating the lasting impact that the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as all the staff members who have dedicated their time and talent to diversity and inclusion work at OHIO,” Gonzalez said in an email. “We must work collectively to preserve the legacy of their work and carry it forever forward.”
