Last Updated on June 25, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke

The University of Cincinnati (UC) has embarked on a transformative journey to reimagine its student support services in response to Ohio’s newly enacted Senate Bill 1, the Enhance Ohio Higher Education Act. Signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on March 28, 2025, and effective June 27, the legislation prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public colleges and universities, prompting UC to shutter its DEI offices and reassign staff to new roles focused on broader community engagement. While the move has sparked protests and debate, UC administrators are framing it as an opportunity to create a more inclusive, legally compliant model for supporting all students.

A New Chapter for Student Support

On June 24, UC President Neville Pinto announced sweeping changes to align with Senate Bill 1, which bans DEI initiatives and threatens to withhold state funding—approximately $2 billion annually for Ohio’s public colleges—if institutions fail to comply. The university has closed its Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact, reassigned staff, and restructured identity-based centers. The Women’s Center and the African American Cultural and Resource Center, for instance, are being rebranded or repurposed to focus on universal student success rather than specific demographic groups.

“We remain committed to fostering a campus where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued,” Pinto wrote in a letter to students and faculty. “These changes are a strategic response to ensure compliance while continuing to support our diverse student body.” Bleuzette Marshall, former Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact, will now lead a new unit emphasizing ethics, compliance, and community impact, with the Office of the University Ombuds reporting to her.

The restructuring comes as part of a broader trend across Ohio and the nation. According to a June 21 report from The Chronicle of Higher Education, at least 350 colleges nationwide have altered or eliminated DEI efforts due to similar legislative pressures. Ohio institutions like Ohio State University and Kent State University have also closed DEI offices, with Ohio State cutting 16 staff positions and removing its LGBTQ+ support website by May 25, 2025.

Student Voices: A Community Divided

The decision has ignited passionate responses from UC’s campus community. On June 24, faculty and students staged a “Funeral for Academic Freedom” to protest the law’s impact, arguing it stifles intellectual diversity and erases vital support systems. Mel Searle, a junior and leader in the LGBTQ Center, described the closures as “heartbreaking.” “These centers were our homes on campus,” Searle said. “They provided safe spaces for marginalized students to connect and thrive. Losing them feels like losing a piece of our identity.”

Searle, who worked with other Ohio students to oppose Senate Bill 1 before its passage, said the law’s impact was anticipated but no less devastating. “We fought hard, but the reality is these programs were crucial for many of us,” she added. The United Black Student Association (UBSA) echoed these sentiments, with co-president Jordyn Bailey calling for greater transparency from UC’s administration. “We wanted proactive communication and vulnerability,” Bailey told WLWT on June developer:16. “Instead, we’re left navigating this loss.”

Conversely, some students and faculty support the changes, arguing they align with the law’s intent to prioritize intellectual diversity over identity-based programming. “The focus should be on education, not divisive initiatives,” said Alex Carter, a senior political science major. “I think UC is trying to balance compliance with creating a welcoming environment for everyone, not just specific groups.”

The Broader Context: Ohio’s Legislative Landscape

Senate Bill 1, which passed with strong Republican support and no Democratic votes, reflects a growing wave of anti-DEI legislation nationwide. The bill not only bans DEI programs but also restricts discussions of “controversial topics” in classrooms and prohibits faculty strikes. Supporters, including State Senator Jonathan Dismang, argue it ensures colleges focus on their core mission of education and intellectual exploration. Critics, however, like the ACLU of Ohio, contend it infringes on free speech and academic freedom. “This law stifles political discourse and violates students’ First Amendment rights,” said Jocelyn Rosnick, ACLU of Ohio Policy Director, in a June 5 statement.

Opponents of the bill are mobilizing to challenge it. On June 26, educators and activists submitted 248,092 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, aiming to suspend the law and place it on the November 2025 ballot for voter repeal. If verified by July 22, the signatures could delay the law’s implementation, though UC’s changes are already in motion.

Health and Education Impacts: A Local Concern

The law’s ripple effects extend beyond campus culture. Dr. Kenneth Davis, a retired Black general surgeon and former member of UC’s College of Medicine admissions committee, expressed alarm over its potential to disrupt scholarships like the Lucy Oxley African American Medical Scholarship. “This scholarship has supported Black medical students for over 15 years,” Davis told WLWT on May 29. “If it’s altered to comply with the law, it could exacerbate Cincinnati’s shortage of diverse healthcare professionals.” A 2024 study by the Ohio Department of Health noted that only 5.2% of Ohio’s physicians are Black, despite African Americans comprising 12.8% of the state’s population.

The closure of identity-based centers also raises concerns about mental health support. A 2023 survey by UC’s Student Affairs Division found that 68% of students using the African American Cultural and Resource Center and LGBTQ Center reported improved mental health and academic performance due to the centers’ resources. Without these spaces, students like Searle worry about finding equivalent support. “These centers weren’t just about identity—they offered counseling, mentorship, and community,” she said.

UC’s Path Forward: Innovation or Loss?

UC administrators are emphasizing adaptability. The university plans to launch a new Academic Task Force on Building Community for Democracy, aimed at fostering dialogue across diverse perspectives. Cultural centers will remain open but reoriented toward broader student engagement. “We’re not abandoning our commitment to belonging,” Pinto said in a June 24 statement. “We’re evolving to meet legal requirements while ensuring every student has access to resources.”

Yet, faculty like Cassandra Fetters, a professor at UC’s Clermont campus, remain skeptical. At a February 2025 protest, Fetters called the DEI rollback “anti-intellectual” and warned it could harm UC’s reputation as a leader in urban public education. “We’re losing what made UC a place where diverse voices thrived,” she said.

A National Trend with Local Stakes

UC’s changes mirror actions at other institutions. Purdue University ended its DEI programs in May 2025, transitioning to a “Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus” for all students “

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University of Cincinnati Redefines Campus Support Amid Ohio’s DEI Ban

Cincinnati, Ohio — June 25, 2025 — The University of Cincinnati (UC) is charting a bold new course for student support services, driven by Ohio’s Senate Bill 1, the Enhance Ohio Higher Education Act, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on March 28, 2025. Effective June 27, the legislation prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public colleges, prompting UC to close its DEI offices, reassign staff, and reimagine identity-based centers. While the decision has sparked protests and heartbreak among some students, UC leaders are positioning the changes as a chance to build a more inclusive, legally compliant framework that serves all 50,000 students on its campus.

A Strategic Pivot to Universal Support

UC President Neville Pinto announced the changes on June 24, just days before the law’s deadline, outlining a plan to comply with Senate Bill 1 while maintaining a welcoming environment. The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact has been dissolved, with staff reassigned to new roles under a unit focused on ethics, compliance, and community impact, led by former Vice President Bleuzette Marshall. Iconic spaces like the African American Cultural and Resource Center and the Women’s Center are being rebranded to focus on broader student success, ensuring compliance with the law’s ban on identity-specific programming.

“We are committed to fostering a campus where every student feels valued,” Pinto said in a letter to the UC community. “These changes align with Ohio’s new legal framework while preserving our mission to support student success.” The university is also launching an Academic Task Force on Building Community for Democracy to promote dialogue across diverse perspectives, signaling a shift toward universal engagement models.

This move reflects a national trend. A June 21, 2025, report from The Chronicle of Higher Education noted that 350 colleges have scaled back DEI efforts due to similar legislative pressures. Ohio State University, for instance, cut 16 DEI staff positions and removed its LGBTQ+ support website by May 25, 2025, while Kent State University plans to eliminate its DEI offices by June 27.

Student Reactions: Loss and Hope

The restructuring has divided UC’s campus. On June 24, students and faculty held a “Funeral for Academic Freedom” to mourn the loss of DEI programs, which many viewed as vital safe spaces. Mel Searle, a junior and LGBTQ Center leader, called the closures “devastating.” “These centers were more than offices—they were communities where students like me found mentorship and belonging,” she said. A 2023 UC Student Affairs survey found that 68% of students using these centers reported better mental health and academic outcomes, highlighting their impact.

The United Black Student Association (UBSA) has demanded more transparency. “We needed clear communication from the administration,” said UBSA co-president Jordyn Bailey in a June 16 WLWT interview. “Instead, we’re grappling with the loss of spaces that shaped our college experience”. Conversely, some students see potential in the new model. “Focusing on universal support could unite us rather than divide us by identity,” said senior Alex Carter, a political science major. “It’s about finding common ground.”

Ohio’s Legislative Shift and Its Stakes

Senate Bill 1, passed with strong Republican support and no Democratic votes, bans DEI programs, restricts classroom discussions on “controversial topics,” and prohibits faculty strikes. Supporters, like State Senator Jonathan Dismang, argue it refocuses higher education on intellectual diversity and core academic missions. Critics, including the ACLU of Ohio, warn it curbs free speech. “This law stifles discourse and violates First Amendment rights,” said Policy Director Jocelyn Rosnick on June 5.

Opponents are fighting back. On June 26, activists submitted 248,092 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State to suspend the law and place it on the November 2025 ballot for repeal. If verified by July 22, the law’s implementation could be delayed, though UC’s changes are already underway.

Beyond Campus: Community and Health Impacts

The law’s effects extend to Cincinnati’s broader community. Dr. Kenneth Davis, a retired Black surgeon and UC College of Medicine alumnus, fears the ban could disrupt scholarships like the Lucy Oxley African American Medical Scholarship, which has supported Black medical students for 15 years. “This could worsen Cincinnati’s shortage of diverse doctors,” Davis told WLWT on May 29. A 2024 Ohio Department of Health report shows only 5.2% of Ohio’s physicians are Black, compared to 12.8% of the state’s population.

Mental health is another concern. The closure of identity-based centers removes resources that supported 68% of users’ well-being, per UC’s 2023 survey. “These spaces offered counseling and community,” Searle noted. “Without them, students may struggle to find equivalent support.”

UC’s Vision: Innovation in Compliance

UC is emphasizing adaptability. The new ethics and community impact unit aims to provide universal resources, while cultural centers will shift to broader engagement. “We’re not abandoning belonging,” Pinto said on June 24. “We’re evolving to meet legal standards while ensuring every student thrives”. The Academic Task Force will encourage cross-perspective dialogue, aiming to maintain UC’s reputation as a leader in urban public education, serving a diverse student body of 50,000, including 14% underrepresented minorities, per 2024 enrollment data.

Yet, skepticism persists. Professor Cassandra Fetters, at a February 2025 protest, called the DEI rollback “anti-intellectual” and a blow to UC’s inclusive legacy. Faculty fear the loss of specialized support could alienate marginalized students, impacting retention rates, which stood at 86% for first-year students in 2024.

A National Movement, Local Realities

UC’s changes align with actions at other institutions. Purdue University transitioned to a “Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus” in May 2025, keeping cultural centers open but eliminating DEI-specific roles. Ohio University closed its Multicultural, Pride, and Women’s Centers in April 2025, citing Senate Bill 1. These shifts reflect a broader push against identity-focused initiatives, with 22 states introducing anti-DEI bills in 2025, per The Chronicle.

In Cincinnati, the stakes are personal. UC’s 2024 economic impact report shows it contributes $4.5 billion annually to the region, and its diverse student body—30% first-generation college students—relies on robust support systems. The loss of DEI programs could strain these efforts, particularly for the 12% of students identifying as Black or Hispanic.

Looking Ahead

As UC navigates this transition, it faces a delicate balance: complying with Senate Bill 1 while preserving its commitment to a diverse, inclusive campus. The new model’s success will depend on its ability to deliver equitable support without the identity-specific frameworks that defined DEI. For students like Searle, the challenge is personal. “We’re not just losing programs,” she said. “We’re losing spaces that made UC feel like home.”

As the November 2025 ballot looms, UC’s community watches closely. The university’s ability to innovate while honoring its diverse legacy will shape its future—and Cincinnati’s.