When I stepped on campus as a freshman just a short three years ago, the Ohio University that sat before me then was completely different from the OU staring back at me today.
If you have touched down in Athens as an OU student for the first time, welcome. If you have been here before, you might find yourself wondering what version of OU awaits you this year.
Students navigated through the 2025-26 academic year in the shadows of Senate Bill 1, which shuttered OU’s Pride, Multicultural and Women’s Centers, leaving many students without resources and support.
Additionally, faculty unionization negotiations continued, and concerns about the university’s investment in Israel bonds and potential on-campus presence from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement created a clear disconnect between the university and many of its students. This culminated in a campus protest just weeks before spring semester final exams.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of OU. Meetings are regularly held in January, April, June, August and November in Athens. In April, two students were taken into custody following a protest at the Board of Trustees meeting, according to a previous report by The Post. The demonstration was organized to highlight what organizers called a year of inaction from university officials.
The following Board of Trustees meeting was in June in Athens, but August’s meeting took place in Dublin, Ohio.
The First Amendment, of course, is a guiding light in times of turmoil. No matter how tense and strange things feel, it offers basic freedoms and protections you can use to help make sense of what is happening around you.
I am proud of the education I’m receiving here and grateful to be a Bobcat, but watching hordes of my peers take to College Green and stick up for what they believe in is a memory I will never forget. You are afforded these First Amendment freedoms by law. Use them. You can’t destroy property or incite violence, but you can make your voice heard.
As the semester unfolds, don’t let yourself get lost in the idea that there is nothing you can do. You are not the governing body of this university, but the choices made by university officials directly impact you. You don’t have to sit around and watch it pass you by. Register to vote in the November election, which you can do online. Demonstrate with your peers, and get involved. Bobcat Connect is your one-stop shop for all things student organization. Take a minute to browse and find something you’re interested in. From activism organizations to low-commitment clubs, there is a place for you.
Although the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion centers and resources have been shut down, Athens itself is full of good people who want to help. The Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance supports the LGBTQIA+ community through scholarship, emergency funds and local events. The Athens United Immigrant Support Project is a non-profit organization that works to support asylum seekers by providing housing assistance, legal aid and other resources.
Staying informed on what is happening on campus and in Athens is crucial. This is your home for however long you find yourself here; don’t be afraid to stand up for it.
Elizabeth Talaga is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Elizabeth know by emailing her at et029322@ohio.edu
