Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced the official closure of the university’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion, including the Multicultural Center, Women’s Center and Pride Center, in compliance with the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, or Senate Bill 1, on Monday.
After compiling a summary report from the “Belonging Survey,” Gonzalez outlined how the university plans to temporarily repurpose the Baker University Center spaces once occupied by the identity-based centers.
The Multicultural Center’s second-floor space will now serve as the Visible Student Lounge, a gathering spot for students to “express their unique identities and perspectives.”
The offices next to the Visible Student Lounge will house the Make Respect Visible Coordinator, the LINKS program staff and the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership staff.
Other changes include converting the former Women’s Center on the fourth floor into Baker Landing, a casual student space for breaks between classes or studying, and transitioning the former Pride Center into a reservable meeting room for student organizations.
Gonzalez said the moves reflect student feedback gathered in May and will serve as a pilot through the 2025-26 academic year.
The university also announced several organizational changes.
Cultural History and Heritage Programming, such as the annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration, will now be led by the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership. The Dean of Students Office will manage the University Interfaith Association, while accessibility resources, such as lactation room listings and single-user restrooms, will fall under Civil Rights Compliance.
Gonzalez also issued a reminder that the Templeton, Appalachian, Urban and Margaret Boyd Scholars programs are now managed by the Honors Tutorial College.
“‘We expect respect across differences and recognize our responsibility to practice empathy, to appreciate diverse perspectives and cultures, and to develop the capacity to solve problems that transcend borders,’” Gonzalez said, ending the announcement with one of OU’s key values. “Let’s all keep those words in our minds as we plan new approaches that will help us live our values and support our students.”
