A Commitment to Diversity

Our Commitment to Diversity

Diversity and inclusion is a core value of Ohio University. We are committed to becoming a national leader in diversity and inclusion by promoting campus environments that foster and celebrate access and inclusion for all students.

In short, diversity describes who we are, the many visible and invisible differences between and among individuals, groups, and cultures that constitute our university community.

Specifically, diversity includes all ages, races, ethnic groups, abilities, genders, gender identities, sexualities, national origins, cultures, socioeconomic classes, abilities, ways of thinking, lived experiences, geographic regions, and religions.

Being a Bobcat means being in a culture that celebrates difference and diversity. It means being inspired to learn new things, to listen to others and learn from their experiences, to cultivate friendships that are meaningful, and to explore who you are.

Here at OHIO, we embrace the tangible benefits of centering diversity and inclusion within educational settings: Students who feel that they belong will learn and perform better. Students whose access needs are met will learn better. And students whose identities are valued and celebrated will happily share their voice, their perspective, and their experience with their classmates.

And together, all our students will change our world for the better by embracing and cherishing difference.

Based on this conviction, the Division of Diversity and Inclusion serves and celebrates all students by helping them to explore productive ways to navigate their diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives and, thus, empowering them to grow and thrive at OHIO.

The four centers within our Division—the Multicultural Center, the LGBT Center, the Women’s Center, and the Office for Multicultural Student and Access and Retention (OMSAR)—continuously envision strategies to welcome and uplift all members of the campus community, especially groups andindividuals who have historically been excluded, underrepresented, and/or marginalized within higher education settings.

Studying and living in a community that supports diversity also means we have certain expectations for our Bobcats. Itmeans that hate is not welcome here. It means challenging racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and other attitudes that create inequity. It means that as Bobcats we challenge our own biases, and it means helping our fellow Bobcats as they confront their own biases or are faced with those of others.

We are excited to provide you with the opportunity to expand and enrich your worldview! This is a key part of the transformative experience of coming to Ohio University. Each and every one of you will bring a unique perspective to your classes, campus jobs, residence halls, and student organizations.

Welcome to OHIO!

Our Vision

Every OHIO campus, college, and administrative unit will embrace OHIO’s vision of fostering an inclusive campus and will continually examine its own educational and administrative processes and identify ways of assuring a comprehensive approach to supporting and nurturing diversity and inclusion.

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion serves as a resource to the Ohio University community on issues of access and retention of faculty, staff, and students as well as promoting the educational benefits of diversity and the appreciation for difference.

Faculty and staff will exemplify principles of inclusion and respect for all people in fulfilling their responsibilities. All persons associated with Ohio University will be accountable for their consistent support of access and inclusion for all.