OHIO shares statement regarding Feb. 27 free expression event

Freedom of speech and civic engagement are central to Ohio University's values as an institution of higher education, and we support the right of all individuals to peacefully express their views and to speak out about the issues they feel are of impact and importance.

We understand that there is a strong desire from University stakeholders to understand potential operational changes in response to Senate Bill 1; while we value transparency with our community, it is important to keep in mind that the actions we take related to diversity and inclusion would ultimately depend on the language of the final bill. As such, we will not prematurely announce operational changes before the bill would be finalized.

Moving forward, OHIO will continue to monitor and respond to the evolving federal and state legal landscape, and we will keep our campus informed of any necessary operational changes to ensure compliance while remaining focused on our mission and values and further fostering a welcoming community where all students can thrive.