COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a message to students, faculty and staff from The Ohio State University President Ted Carter confirmed that on Feb. 28 the university is sunsetting its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and discontinuing programming and services from Student Life’s Center for Belonging and Social Change.

They are also renaming the Office of Institutional Equity the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.

There have been recent developments, he said, in the federal and state government about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as it relates to public education.

“The federal government has signaled its intent to enforce guidance invalidating the use of race in a broad range of educational activities, including by withdrawing federal dollars that are so important to our student, academic and operational success,” Carter wrote in the message. “Here in Ohio, a bill barring DEI is also making its way through the legislature, and the Attorney General of Ohio – our statutory counsel – has advised us that his office concurs with the federal government’s position regarding the use of race in educational activities.”

Carter said all higher education is currently contending with this “challenging environment.” He said that, by acting proactively, the university is able to “manage this new landscape in ways that best uphold the values of excellence, access and opportunity that we hold dear.”

He did specify that none of these changes would affect current scholarships, financial aid or student employment. However, some of the selection criteria could change for scholarships in order to remain legally compliant. He also stated that some services will stay and move to other departments, maintaining those staff members.

Ohio State will work with staff whose programs are being cut, he said, to find other jobs within the university. Affected student employees will be offered other jobs.

“Both ODI and the CBSC have historically done valuable work for our campus and students,” Carter wrote in the message. “I know these decisions will be disappointing for many in our community, particularly as we navigate an already uncertain and challenging period. We may not know all the answers, but I have heard your concerns, I understand the varied emotions many on our campus are feeling, and I have been heartened to witness the grace and care with which we are treating each other in uncertain moments.”

At the start of his letter, Carter said their goal in reviewing the university’s work in diversity, equity and inclusion was to ensure everyone continues to be welcomed and respected but that they also follow laws and regulations.

He expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and said more information will be shared as work continues.

“Ohio State has always been a place where every member of our community matters, where each of us is seen and heard, and where we all have opportunities to succeed,” he said in the message. “Protecting all our students, faculty and staff so that they can all be successful in their time at Ohio State will remain our North Star. We will continue to celebrate the richness of backgrounds and ideas that makes us strong, and to uphold the time-honored value of academic freedom that has long defined the excellence of America’s universities.”

A press release from the university also highlights a new online resource launched by the university that provides information on government policies and actions that affect the university. You can view that here.