Focus on racial justice
The senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor — along with countless others — have sparked a worldwide focus on racial injustices and inequities that have long plagued our society. As a university dedicated to creating the future, Ohio State is committed to being an agent of change through our words and deeds. Our motto is “Education for Citizenship,” and Buckeyes are united in making a difference.
Ohio State is a comprehensive university, and our response to racial injustice and inequities is similarly wide ranging, with contributions to knowledge, understanding and action. In addition to steps being taken throughout our 15 colleges, our six campuses and the Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State has university-wide initiatives, events and resources.
Key initiatives, events, resources and statements
Initiatives
- Task force on racism and racial disparities
- Seed grants for research and solutions
- Support for Citizens Review Board
- Fight Against Disparities in Health Care
Events and news
- The Role of the Land-Grant University in Addressing Racial Tensions, Part I (Watch Archive)
- President Drake's June 10 update to the Ohio State community
- The Role of the Land-Grant University in Addressing Racial Tensions, Part II (Watch Archive)
- Cincinnati Goddamn: Stream online free for all audiences
June 1 - July 9, 2020
Resources
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- Office of Institutional Equity
- Multicultural Center
- Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
- Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning Resources for Teaching for Racial Justice
- College of Nursing
- University Libraries
Statements
- President's statement on addressing institutional racism now (President Drake)
- Racism as a public health crisis (President Drake)
- President's statement after the death of George Floyd (President Drake)
- Provost's statement on racial injustice (Provost McPheron)
- Chief diversity officer's statement (Vice Provost Moore)
- Chancellor's statement (Chancellor Paz)
Initiatives
Ohio State is establishing a university task force to examine issues related to racism and racial disparities on our campuses and in our community. The task force will bring forward specific recommendations for changes to specific policies, processes, practices, programs and/or positions that will help us be a better example of the ideal university.
Task force chairs:
- James L. Moore III, vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer
- Tom Gregoire, dean of the College of Social Work.
The task force will include faculty, student, and staff representation from across the university.
The Office of Research has partnered with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to establish a $1 million fund to provide seed grants for Ohio State's research and creative expression community to study the causes and effects of, and solutions to, racism and racial disparities. A webpage describing the application process and funding parameters will go live in the coming weeks.
President Michael V. Drake has told Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, City Council President Shannon Hardin and others in city leadership that he supports the creation of an independent Citizens Review Board to review instances of alleged police misconduct, as recommended by the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission. President Drake has asked that this board include an Ohio State student representative.
On June 1, President Michael V. Drake testified in support of a Columbus City Council resolution that declared racism a public health crisis. The resolution passed and joined a previous declaration by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. President Drake also expressed his support for a similar resolution under consideration by the Ohio Senate.
These steps further enable efforts at the Wexner Medical Center to mobilize and concentrate research and clinical efforts to end disparities in health outcomes in infant mortality, diabetes, COVID-19 and other conditions.
Events
| Date/Time | Title |
|---|---|
| July 29, 2020 12 to 1 p.m. |
Latinx Student Success and Que Pasa: Summer Snapshot Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion |
| July 29, 2020 1 to 2:30 p.m. |
How do you show up for your Black colleagues in Schools and Campuses? Hosted by the Department of Educational Studies |
| July 23, 2020 12 to 1 p.m. |
Equity and Inclusion in Postdoc Hiring (for faculty: password Equity!) Hosted by The Ohio State University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs |
| July 22, 2020 1 to 2:30 p.m. |
It's okay to be white, but Can You Also be Antiracist in Educational Spaces? Hosted by the Department of Educational Studies |
| July 17, 2020 12 to 1 p.m. |
Equity and Inclusion in Postdoc Hiring (for postdocs and fellows: password OPA Coffee) Hosted by The Ohio State University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs |
| July 15, 2020 12 to 1 p.m. |
Future Latinx Buckeyes: Parent Information Session Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion |
| July 15, 2020 1 to 2:30 p.m. |
What is the role of White People in Dismantling Whiteness? Hosted by the Department of Educational Studies |
| July 13, 2020 4 to 5:00 p.m. |
Black Matter 101: This Side of the Pandemics Hosted by the Department of African American and African Studies Presents |
| July 10, 2020 11 to 12:30 p.m. |
Understanding History, Understanding Ourselves Hosted by the Office of Student Life Multicultural Center |
| July 9, 2020 1 p.m. |
What Does It Mean to Be Anti-Racist? The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity |
| July 9, 2020 3 p.m. |
Justice for Racial Equality, Thursday Student Series: What's Next After Street Protesting Simmers Hosted by The Ohio State University at Newark |
| July 8, 2020 1 to 2:30 p.m. |
Dear White People: Whiteness and white supremacy in education Hosted by the Department of Educational Studies |
| July 7, 2020 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. |
Hosted by Ohio State's Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability and Center for Ethics and Human Values
|
| July 1, 2020 12 to 1 p.m. |
Being Latinx: Mental Health and Self-Care Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion |
| June 1 - July 9, 2020 | Cincinnati Goddamn: Stream online free for all audiences Hosted by the Wexner Center for the Arts |
| July 2, 2020 3 p.m. |
Justice for Racial Equality, Thursday Student Series: A Call to Action - Black Lives Matter Hosted by The Ohio State University at Newark |
| June 29, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Black Matters 101: Dismantling Structural Inequalities Hosted by the Department of African American and African Studies |
| June 25, 2020 1 p.m. |
Why is it so hard to talk about race?
Hosted by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity |
| June 25, 2020 3 p.m. |
Justice for Racial Equality, Thursday Student Series: Current Issues, Social Media & You Hosted by The Ohio State University at Newark and the offices of Student Life, Academic Affairs and Outreach and Engagement |
| June 24, 2020 3 to 4:30 p.m. |
Black Matters 101: Policing and Black Communities Hosted by the Department of African American and African Studies |
| June 15, 2020 9 to 10 a.m. |
Being Black at Ohio State: Community, Opportunity & Leadership Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center |
| June 15, 2020 3 to 4:30 p.m. |
The Role of the Land-Grant University in Addressing Racial Tensions, Part II Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and The Women's Place |
| June 11, 2020 Noon to 1 p.m. |
A Conversation with the Latinx Community about the Struggle for Racial Justice Hosted by the Organization of Hispanic/Latino Faculty and Staff |
| June 11, 2020 5:30 to 7 p.m. |
Living Through Time and Change: Come Together to Support One Another in a Period of Civil Unrest Hosted by Counseling and Consultation Services |
| June 10, 2020 2 p.m. |
Conversations with Allies and Advocates Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center, Office of Academic Affairs and Office of Outreach and Engagement |
| June 8, 2020 3 to 4:30 p.m. |
The Role of the Land-Grant University in Addressing Racial Tensions, Part I Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion |
| June 5, 2020 | White Coats for Black Lives (Video) Hosted by Wexner Medical Center |
| June 5, 2020 2 p.m. |
Allies and Advocates: Ways to Show Up for Racial Justice Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center |
| June 3, 2020 6 p.m. |
Black Student Forum Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center |
| June 1-2, 2020 | Black Lives Matter Processing Sessions Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion |
| June 1, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Come Together to Support One Another in Response to Recent Tragic Events of Racial Violence and Discrimination Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center |
| Date/Time | Title |
|---|---|
| August 13, 2020 2 p.m. |
Black Faculty Check-in Meeting Hosted by College of Nursing |
| August 5, 2020 4 to 6 p.m. |
"All Black Lives Matter" forum for African American Students at Lima Hosted by The Ohio State University Lima |
| July 10, 2020 9 to 11 a.m. |
Did I Really Hear That? Strategies for Responding to Microaggressions and Bias Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 10, 2020 12 to 1 p.m. |
Community Engagement: Cultivating Relationships, Impacting Health, and Advancing Scholarship to Promote Equity Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 9, 2020 9 to 10 a.m. |
Gender and Racial Inequities as Seen in the College of Medicine Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 9, 2020 6 to 7:30 p.m. |
Workshop: Speaking Up and Fostering Inclusive Organizations and Spaces (Students Only) Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 8, 2020 10 to 11 a.m. |
Community Health Partnership Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 8, 2020 11 to 12 p.m. |
Anti-Racism Action Plan Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 7, 2020 9 to 10:30 a.m. | Scrubbing In: Creating a Seat at the Table Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 7, 2020 1 to 2 p.m. | Navigating a Surgical Career (Medical Students Only) Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 7, 2020 5 to 6:30 p.m. | Workshop: Who am I? Are We? (Students Only) Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 6, 2020 8 to 9 a.m. | History of Racism: Racial Identity Development Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 6, 2020 9 to 10 a.m. | Racism in Education, Stories and Testimonies Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 6, 2020 10 to 11:30 a.m. | COVID-19 and the Asian Community: Impacts, Historical Oppression, and Allyship Hosted by the College of Medicine |
| July 7, 2020 3 p.m. |
Your Voice Matters: A Forum for Students of Color at Ohio State Mansfield Hosted by The Ohio State University at Mansfield |
| July 23, 2020 11 a.m. |
Black Staff Check-in Meeting Hosted by College of Nursing |
| June 30, 2020 11 a.m. to Noon |
Community Check-In for White Men: Staff Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 30, 2020 1 to 2 p.m. |
Community Check-In for White Men: Students Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 30, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Community Check-In for White Men: Faculty Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 26, 2020 9:15 p.m. |
Listening Session for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Graduate Students College of Engineering and Knowlton School of Architecture |
| June 26, 2020 11 a.m. to Noon |
Community Check-In for Women: Staff Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 26, 2020 1 to 2 p.m. |
Community Check-In for Women: Students Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 26, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Community Check-In for Women: Faculty Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 25, 2020 11 a.m. to Noon |
Community Check-In for LGBTQ+: Staff Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 25, 2020 1 to 2 p.m. |
Community Check-In for LGBTQ+: Students Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 25, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Community Check-In for LGBTQ+: Faculty Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 24, 2020 11 a.m. to Noon |
Community Check-In for Arab/Middle Easterner: Staff Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 24, 2020 1 to 2 p.m. |
Community Check-In for Arab/Middle Easterner: Students Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 24, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Community Check-In for Arab/Middle Easterner: Faculty Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| <>June 24, 2020 4 to 5:00 p.m. |
Hosted by the College of Nursing
|
| June 23, 2020 11 a.m. to Noon |
Black Staff Check In Hosted by the College of Nursing |
| June 23, 2020 11 a.m. to Noon |
Community Check-In for Asian/Asian Americans: Staff Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 23, 2020 1 to 2 p.m. |
Community Check-In for Asian/Asian Americans: Students Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 23, 2020 2 to 3 p.m |
Black Faculty Check In Hosted by the College of Nursing |
| June 23, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Community Check-In for Asian/Asian Americans: Faculty Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| June 22, 2020 12 to 1:00 p.m. |
Town Hall on Race and Racism for Faculty Hosted by the College of Nursing |
| June 23, 2020 11 to 12:00 p.m. |
Black Staff Check In >Hosted by the College of Nursing |
| June 23, 2020 2 to 3:00 p.m. |
Black Faculty Check In Hosted by the College of Nursing |
| June 23, 2020 4 to 5:00 p.m. |
Town Hall on Race and Racism for Staff Hosted by the College of Nursing |
| June 12, 2020 | Forum for Faculty and Staff at Fisher College of Business Hosted by Fisher College of Business |
| June 10, 2020 | Clearing the Air: Race Relations in the US Hosted by The Ohio State University at Lima Use password 9M#239B4 to access the video recording |
| June 3, 2020 6 p.m. |
Black Student Forum Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center |
| June 1-2, 2020 | Black Lives Matter Processing Sessions Hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion |
| June 1, 2020 3 to 4 p.m. |
Come Together to Support One Another in Response to Recent Tragic Events of Racial Violence and Discrimination Hosted by the Student Life Multicultural Center |
Education and learning resources
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Race Equity and Inclusion Guide
- Center for Ethics and Human Values: COMPAS 2016 Inequality
- Center for Ethics and Human Values: COMPAS 2019 What is America
- CNN with Don Lemon: Silence is Not an Option
- College of the Arts and Sciences: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate
- College of Nursing: Resources to Address Racial Tensions
- College of Public Health: Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence Student, Faculty and Staff Resources
- College of Social Work: Resource Guide
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy: Recommended Reading
- Department of English: Readings and Essays
- University Institute for Teaching and Learning: Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning Resources for Teaching for Racial Justice
- Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity: Implicit Bias and Active Bystander Training
- University Libraries: Antiracism Resources for Research, Advocacy, & Activism
- Multicultural Center: Community Kit on Race
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Racial Justice Resources
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion: List of Ohio State Diversity Education Resources
- The Ohio State University at Newark: National Cultural Resources
- PBS: Abolitionist Frederick Douglass' July 5, 1852 speech: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
- Regional Campus Libraries: Anti-Racism Resources
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture: Upcoming Events
- Wexner Center for the Arts: Resources to Support Racial Equality
- Wexner Medical Center: Resources for Taking Action against Racism
Crisis response, counseling and support
- Buckeye Peer Access Line (PAL)
- Counseling and Consultation Services
- Employee Assistance Program
- Let's Talk
- Office of Institutional Equity
- Wexner Medical Center Employee Well-Being Resources
- STAR Trauma Recovery Center
- Student Legal Services
- The Ohio State app and the Ohio State: Wellness app (available on iOS or Android)
The university's Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) was created to coordinate the university's response to all complaints of harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. To learn more about your rights to be free from harassment and discrimination, to get assistance connecting with support resources, or to file a report, please contact OIE at:
- Online – report form at equity.osu.edu
- Call – 614-247-5838
- Email equity@osu.edu
You can also report concerns anonymously through EthicsPoint.
Members of The Ohio State community have the right to be free from all forms of harassment and discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.
In addition to educating yourself and ensuring that we treat all people with dignity and respect, you can act if you see something you know if wrong, such as a racist act.
- Direct: confront the person(s) who are engaging in harmful behavior and ask them to stop, if you feel safe doing so. Also, please check in on those being harmed.
- Distract: turn the attention of the people who are doing harm away from the current situation; the goal is to stop the harm.
- Delegate: ask another trusted person for help who you believe can stop the situation in an effective manner. You can also report the incident to a trusted person at Ohio State (such as the Office for Institutional Equity).
*Note that being a victim is never the fault of the victim. These steps are intended for others to take as an upstander in support of the victim/survivor. People's abilities to act will be different, so again, we ask you do one of the above.
University and leadership statements
- Administration
-
- President Drake: Ohio State supports resolution declaring racism a public health crisis
- President Drake: A call for renewed effort to address racial injustice
- Office of Academic Affairs: A statement from Provost McPheron
- Alumni Association: Letter from Molly Calhoun
- Department of Athletics: Letter from Gene Smith
- Office of Business and Finance: Letter from Michael Papadakis
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Letter from James L. Moore III
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Celebrating Juneteenth James L. Moore III
- Office of Human Resources: Letter from Susan Basso
- Office of International Affairs: Statement by Gil Latz
- Office of Outreach and Engagement: Letter from Ryan Schmiesing to the university community
- Department of Public Safety: Letter from Monica Moll and Kimberly Spears-McNatt
- Office of Student Academic Success : Statement from Beth Hume
- Office of Student Life: Letters from Melissa Shivers, May 30, June 2
- Office of University Compliance and Integrity: Letter from Gates Garrity-Rokous
- Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service: Statement Regarding Recent Tragic Events of Racial Violence and Discrimination
- University Libraries: Statement Supporting Black Lives Matter
- Wexner Medical Center: Letter from Harold L. Paz
- Wexner Medical Center: Statement of support for declaring racism a public health crisis in Columbus
- Centers and institutes
-
- Area Studies Centers Statement
- Bell National Resource Center: A message to our BNRC Scholars
- Center for Aviation Studies: Commitment to Change
- Center for Ethics and Human Values: CEHV Supports the Black Lives Matter Movement
- Dennis Learning Center: Statement on Racism, Equity and Diversity
- Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning: Read, Watch, Listen, Act., Teach
- Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity: Statement in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
- Schoenbaum Family Center and Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy: A Statement on Recent Events
- Colleges and campuses
-
- College of Arts and Sciences: Letters from Gretchen Ritter and Wendy Smooth
- Fisher College of Business: Shared Pain and Resolve
- College of Dentistry: Letter from Patrick Lloyd
- College of Education and Human Ecology: Letter from the Crane Center
- College of Engineering: Letter from David B. Williams and Donnie Perkins
- College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences: Letters from Cathann Cress June 2, June 5
- The Graduate School: Message from Dean Alicia Bertone
- Moritz College of Law: Message from the college
- The Ohio State University at Lima: Letter from Tim Rehner
- The Ohio State University at Mansfield: Letter from Norman Jones
- College of Medicine: Letter from James Rocco
- The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College: Letter from Bill MacDonald and John Berry
- College of Nursing: Letter from Bernadette Melnyk
- College of Optometry: Letter from Karla Zadnik
- College of Pharmacy: Letter from Henry Mann
- John Glenn College of Public Affairs: Message from the college
- College of Public Health: Letter from Amy Fairchild
- College of Social Work: Statement from Tom Gregoire
- College of Veterinary Medicine: Message from the college
- Departments
-
- Department of African American and African Studies: The 2020 Pandemic, Racism, Structural Inequalities, And Pursuits of Social Justice
- Department of Anthropology: Statement and Resources
- Department of Dance: Letter from Nadine George-Graves
- Department of Design: Designers Do – A Message from Dr. Mary Anne Beecher
- Department of English: Statement
- Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures: Statement from Robert C. Holub
- Department of History of Art: Message from Lisa Florman, Statement from the department
- Department of Human Sciences: Message from Erik Porfeli
- Department of Psychology: Statement on Racism, Equity, and Diversity
- Department of Sociology: Statement in Response to the Killing of George Floyd
- Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies: A Word on #BlackLivesMatter
- Knowlton School of Architecture: Message from Michael Caldwell
- Neuroscience Graduate Program: A Message from the Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
- School of Communication: Diversity Statement
- School of Earth Sciences: Statement from Natt Saltzman
- School of Environment and Natural Resources: A Letter to the SENR Community
- University Libraries: Statement Supporting Black Lives Matter
- Other
-
- Football: Ohio State Football: Fight for Change
- The Ohio State University Marching Band: Black Lives Matter
- Organization of Hispanic/Latino Faculty and Staff: Statement
- University Staff Advisory Committee: Statement on Racial Injustice