Ohio State University removed a website offering support for LGBTQ+ students as leaders continue to grapple with implementing Senate Bill 1, the new sweeping state higher education law set to take effect later this month.
The university deactivated the site as part of an “ongoing transition and review” of diversity, equity and inclusion (or DEI) programs, university officials told Signal Ohio. Senate Bill 1 requires public institutions to end those offerings, though the law doesn’t give a specific definition of the term.
An internet archive website shows Ohio State’s LGBTQ+ website remained online as recently as May 25. A banner at the top described it as the university’s “one stop resource for LGBTQ+ students and allies.”
It’s unclear what, if any, university programming or support remains for LGBTQ+ students at the state’s flagship university.
“Keep in mind that we are in the process of implementing the law, and our review of DEI programming is ongoing,” Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson told Signal Ohio via email. “It’s too soon to say what exact programs and services will be available in the fall.”
The university has more than 1,400 student-run organizations, including several for LGBTQ+ students and allies. Student clubs aren’t believed to be impacted by the rules of Senate Bill 1.
Public colleges across Ohio continue to make related moves in response to Senate Bill 1. Earlier this week, Kent State University announced plans to close its LGBTQ+ Center, Women’s Center and Student Multicultural Center. Ohio University outlined similar plans in April.
Ohio State limits messaging for Pride Month, other celebrations under Senate Bill 1
Pride Month began June 1. It’s a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that started in the United States more than three decades ago.
Ohio State classifies Pride Month – as well as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Juneteenth – as a “cultural and awareness” recognition and event. University leaders recently updated a website outlining its stance on those events under Senate Bill 1’s rules.
Participation in any related events is allowed as long as programs “clearly communicate that it is open and welcoming to all without respect to protected class.”
“Communications or messaging that take a position, engage in advocacy for or expand on the cultural or awareness month beyond recognizing it – either via university channels (including email and social media) or when speaking or making a statement in a university capacity are paused as additional portions of SB 1 related to university statements on controversial topics or issues are analyzed,” officials wrote.
This doesn’t prohibit individuals from representing their own views, the website states.
Ohio State’s Black cultural center remains open
Although Ohio State didn’t have a specific physical office for LGBTQ+ students, many related activities occurred at the Center for Belonging and Social Change. That center closed this spring as part of the university’s DEI review.
The center will become what the university calls the “Buckeye Commons.” An April announcement billed it as “a central hub for all students to come together to connect, network, engage, learn and thrive in an inclusive, dedicated space focused on student success.” That note didn’t mention any specific support for LGBTQ+ students.
Ohio State cited both state and federal pressures when it closed its DEI office in February.
Officials told Signal Ohio the university’s Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center will remain open. They added that the university will soon share updates about the university’s Women’s Place as well as its Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity.
