ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio University students organized a protest against Ohio Senate Bill 1, a piece of legislation that would prohibit state universities from having programs supporting diversity, equity or inclusion, more commonly known as DEI.
Additionally, the proposed legislation would require universities to publicly list syllabi for courses, teach courses on American civic literacy, implement annual faculty evaluations, and alter the tenure process. The bill would also prohibit university faculty from going on strike. The bill was just recently passed by the Ohio Senate and is currently making its way through the Ohio House of Representatives.
The bill has over a dozen sponsors, including Athens representative Senator Brian Chavez.
The protest began with a walkout at 1:15 p.m. with students initially gathering at Peden Stadium. Organizers then spoke to the group encouraging them to comply with university policy around protests.
The group then marched to uptown chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, Senate Bill 1 has got to go” and “Equal rights, equal say, DEI is here to stay.” The protesters grew in number as they arrived on College Green and gathered in front of Cutler Hall.
Several students then spoke about their experiences at Ohio University and how DEI programs and funding changed their lives. The group called on Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzales and other university administrators to oppose Senate Bill 1 and fight for the rights of students.
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