Sunday Sermon: How Firm Thy Friendship? A Call to The Ohio State University to Stand Tall

Nearly a week has passed since the decision to dismantle the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and the Center for Belonging and Social Change (CBSC), yet the weight of this choice lingers. Ohio State University, an institution revered for its commitment to excellence, finds itself at a crossroads—one that tests the strength of its values, its leadership, and its unwavering promise to be a place where all belong.

"How firm thy friendship" is more than a lyric from Carmen Ohio; it is a declaration of unity, a bond that transcends time and generations. But what does it mean when the very fabric of that friendship is tested? What does it say about our commitment to each other when the most vulnerable in our community—our students who rely on the support, advocacy, and visibility that ODI and CBSC provide—are left without a safety net?

A Decision That Demands Scrutiny
President Carter, you have spoken of compliance with shifting legal landscapes and adapting to external pressures. But history remembers not those who yield to the tides but those who navigate against them when principle demands it. Dismantling these offices was not an inevitability—it was a choice. This choice signals to students, faculty, and alums that this institution opted for retreat rather than resilience when faced with adversity.

Your February 27th letter acknowledged that ODI and CBSC have historically done valuable work. But acknowledgment without preservation is merely a sentiment, not a strategy. What was done to protect these programs before they were dissolved? Was every effort exhausted? Were the voices of those who benefited from these initiatives indeed considered? Because a university that prides itself on leadership must also be willing to lead in times of challenge, not simply adjust to the status quo.

Where was the resistance if Ohio State's commitment to diversity and inclusion was truly unwavering? Where was the alternative plan to safeguard the mission of these offices? Justifying external pressures does not absolve an institution of its moral and ethical duty to protect its most vulnerable populations. The measure of a university's character is not found in its ability to maintain stability when it is easy but in its willingness to fight when the stakes are high.

The Ripple Effects of Silence
The impact of this decision will extend far beyond administrative offices and budget lines. It will be felt in the silence where voices once found empowerment, in the absence of spaces that once fostered belonging, and in the uncertainty of students who believed Ohio State would stand by them. It will be heard in the conversations of prospective students who now question whether this is an institution that will invest in their success beyond the numbers, recruitment slogans, and the classroom.

Ohio State's identity has always been rooted in more than academic prestige—it is built on the strength of its community. But a community is not sustained through words alone. It requires action, investment, and the courage to uphold commitments even when inconvenient.

This decision also affects Ohio State's standing as a leader in higher education. Universities are judged by their research and rankings and the culture they cultivate. The absence of structured DEI initiatives sends a signal that may discourage talented faculty, students, and staff from joining an institution that appears unwilling to defend inclusion in the face of opposition. The long-term consequences could reshape Ohio State's reputation far beyond this moment.

A Moment of Reckoning for the Buckeye Community
To the students, faculty, and alums of Ohio State, this is not the time for passive disappointment. This is the time to ask hard questions, to demand clarity, to insist that Ohio State lives up to the ideals it proclaims. A decision has been made, but the conversation is far from over. We must challenge our leadership to articulate what comes next—not in broad reassurances but in concrete actions demonstrating an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For those who have walked these halls and called Ohio State home, the question now becomes: Will this university continue to be a space where all students, regardless of background, feel seen, heard, and valued? If that answer is unclear, then it is the community's responsibility to push for one. If the commitment to inclusion still exists within the heart of Ohio State, then let it be reflected in actions, not just words.

To other institutions watching this moment unfold, let this not be a blueprint for inaction but a lesson in what happens when an institution's core is tested. Higher education must remain a space where progress is not only pursued but protected. The erosion of support structures for marginalized communities is not just an internal issue for Ohio State—it is a reflection of a growing national trend. This is a moment that requires vigilance, advocacy, and unity across academia.

A Call for Action and Accountability
So I ask again, how firm thy friendship? If this phrase is to hold meaning beyond a melody sung in unison, let it be reflected in what we do next. Let Ohio State stand firm—not in complacency, but in conviction. Let this be a turning point where the Buckeye community demands more from its leadership, where words of commitment are spoken and upheld.

If there is to be a renewed investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion, it must be accurate, measurable, and unshakable. If leadership cannot ensure this, it is up to the community—students, faculty, alums, and allies—to hold them accountable. The students who enter this institution in the coming years deserve to know that they are stepping into a university that prioritizes their success in rhetoric and practice.

The road ahead is not one of easy resolutions. It is one of persistence, advocacy, and ensuring that this university does not lose sight of the values that have defined it for generations. Institutions are not merely buildings and policies; they are people. And people—especially those who believe in justice, inclusion, and the very essence of what education should be—will always be worth fighting for.

This is not the closing of a chapter. It is the beginning of a new one that calls upon all of us to stand firm in what we believe. Ohio State has a choice: to allow this decision to define its future or to recognize the urgency of this moment and rise to meet it.
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If Ohio State seeks to be a beacon of opportunity, let it be one for all. Let it lead with conviction if it aims to be a leader. And if "how firm thy friendship" is a phrase worth singing, let it be one worth proving.