Ohio State, IU Close DEI Offices, Shift Compliance Focus

Ohio State University’s College of Medicine and Indiana University have both announced the closure of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices in response to evolving state and federal legal mandates. Ohio State’s DEI office will close by May 31, with related faculty leadership roles ending in late June; the university has pledged ongoing support for diversity within the new legal framework. Impacted staff at both universities are being offered assistance to find other roles internally. Indiana University’s move follows a state executive order that eliminates DEI programs in government and shifts focus to 'Merit, Excellence, and Innovation,' with remaining DEI functions integrated into other student support offices. Both universities have also renamed related offices to emphasize civil rights compliance. These actions underscore increased political and legal scrutiny of DEI initiatives in higher education.