Janice Lozano
Ohio State University has been criticised for its lack of diversity, with Black students making up only 6.2% of full-time freshmen in 2020. While the university has implemented initiatives to attract minority students, such as the American Talent Initiative, Black students continue to be underrepresented, comprising just 2.6% of male enrolments as of 2018. This lack of representation has led to feelings of isolation and marginalisation among Black students, who often find themselves to be the only person of colour in their classes. The university has also faced criticism for its lack of Black faculty members, with Black professors making up only 2.7% of full professors. Despite efforts to improve diversity and inclusion, Ohio State University still has a way to go to create an equitable and supportive environment for its Black students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total enrollment | 61,369 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 42,734 |
| Graduate enrollment | 9,888 |
| Percentage of Black students | 6.2% |
| Percentage of Black male students | 2.6% |
| Percentage of Black faculty | 2.7% |
| Black students' mental health resources | Counseling, discussion groups |
| Black students' financial aid | Average grant aid is higher for low-income students |
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What You'll Learn
In 2020, Black students made up 6.2% of full-time freshmen at OSU
Ohio State University has been described as not "the very best" in racial diversity, although it has been acknowledged that the university has been improving in this area. In 2017, the university's faculty was said to have underrepresented the demographic makeup of white, black, Hispanic, and those with two or more ethnicities. The engineering department was particularly lacking in diversity, with Black women being totally absent in 2014.
In 2018, members of the Black Student Association at OSU wore shirts representing the percentage of African-American students at the university, highlighting the lack of representation for African-American men. One student, Paris McGee, commented on how the stereotype that African-American men are only successful in athletics can be detrimental and diminish the hard work of students.
OSU has implemented various initiatives to improve diversity and support minority students, such as the American Talent Initiative and the Buckeye Student Leadership Academy. The university's Young Scholars Program is also dedicated to helping low-income, first-generation students from Ohio, with 75% of the students in the program being Black. However, despite these efforts, Black students at OSU have reported feeling unsupported and experiencing added stress due to their racial identity.
Overall, while OSU has made strides towards fostering a more diverse and inclusive community, there is still work to be done to ensure that Black students feel valued, represented, and supported.
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Black students at OSU don't feel supported or valued
Black students at Ohio State University (OSU) have expressed feelings of being unsupported and undervalued. In a survey conducted by the Statehouse News Bureau, more than 300 Black students across the state were polled to gauge how their universities could better support them. The majority of respondents, attending primarily white institutions, were unsure or disagreed that their universities valued Black students.
One OSU student, Brielle Shorter, highlighted the fraught history between the Columbus Police Department (CPD) and Black students, with some calling for OSU to cut ties with CPD. The university's website states that CPD is not the primary law enforcement agency on campus, but the presence of CPD still raises concerns for Black students.
Black students at OSU also face issues of underrepresentation and tokenism. Paris McGee, a fourth-year journalism student and gymnast, often finds himself as the only African-American in his classes. He challenges the stereotype that African-American men are primarily athletes, asserting that they are students first. Keith Bell, a graduate administrative associate, estimates that he sees only two or three African-American men on campus daily, and some staff and faculty may not encounter any.
The lack of representation extends beyond the student body, as Black faculty members are also underrepresented, particularly at the full professor level, comprising only 2.7%. While OSU has made efforts to increase diversity, such as through the American Talent Initiative and Buckeye Student Leadership Academy, the racial makeup of the campus remains predominantly white. In 2020, among full-time freshmen, students identifying as White made up 67.9%, while Black students accounted for 8.3%.
The experiences of Black students at OSU highlight the disconnect between the university's efforts towards diversity and inclusion and the lived realities of its Black student population. While OSU strives to attract and support minority students, the feelings of being unsupported and undervalued persist, underscoring the need for more effective initiatives to foster a genuinely inclusive environment.
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OSU has a Black Student Association
Ohio State University (OSU) has a Black Student Association (BSA) with members wearing shirts representing the percentage of African-American students that attend the university. The BSA is one of over 1,400 student organizations at OSU, and over half of all students are part of a student organization.
OSU has a total enrollment of approximately 61,369 students, with 42,734 undergraduates and 9,888 graduates. In 2020, 6.2% of full-time freshmen identified as Black, while 10.3% of full-time transfers did. Less than 7% of OSU students identify as African-American, despite them making up more than 12% of Ohio's residents. In 2018, African-American male enrollment was at 2.6%.
The university has been trying to attract and support minority students through various initiatives, including the American Talent Initiative (ATI), which aims to enroll 50,000 low and moderate-income students at top colleges in 10 years. Additionally, OSU offers the Buckeye Student Leadership Academy, a trip for high-school seniors to experience college life by spending three days at the university.
While OSU has made strides in recent years to foster a more accessible, diverse, and inclusive campus community, there is still work to be done. The lack of representation for African-American men at OSU underscores the lack of opportunities given to this demographic. Paris McGee, a fourth-year journalism student and gymnast at OSU, has said that being the only Black person in the classroom makes him feel like a minority and that African-American men are often expected to be athletes first and students second.
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OSU has a history of racial tension with the Columbus Police Department
Ohio State University has a total enrollment of about 61,369 students, with 42,734 undergraduates and 9,888 graduate students. In 2020, enrolled full-time freshmen were predominantly White (67.9%), followed by Asian (8.3%), Black (6.2%), and Latinx students (5.5%). However, Black students have historically comprised a disproportionately small percentage of the student body, with Black male enrollment at 2.6% in 2018.
The racial tensions between OSU and the Columbus Police Department (CPD) have been a longstanding issue. In 2021, the CPD faced criticism for its handling of "Chitt Fest," a gathering of over 1,000 people, primarily OSU students, on Chittenden Avenue. The CPD's response, which included the use of helicopters and officers on horseback, was perceived as an escalation of the situation, and no arrests were made. This incident highlighted a broader pattern of disparate responses by the CPD and university administrators to crimes involving Black and white students.
In 2020, amidst global protests against police brutality and racial injustice, OSU leaders hosted a webinar titled "The Role of the Land-Grant University in Addressing Racial Tensions." The conversation centred on the role of universities in fostering equity and combating racism. However, OSU's relationship with the CPD has been complex. In 2004, the university and city police departments formally partnered, agreeing to work together and assist each other in the University District as needed. This partnership evolved over time, with a 2012 mutual-aid agreement granting expanded jurisdiction to university police off-campus.
While the university has touted these agreements as providing additional resources and improved safety for students, critics have pointed to instances where the presence of CPD officers near campus has caused concern rather than reassurance, particularly for minority students. Furthermore, the university has been accused of upholding the privilege of its white students while diminishing the struggles of its minority communities, especially Black students.
The Undergraduate Student Government General Assembly took a stand against the CPD in April 2023, unanimously passing a resolution condemning the CPD and encouraging the university to cut ties. This marked a significant shift from over a decade ago when a joint jurisdiction agreement between the university and city police was celebrated by the USG president at the time. As racial tensions persist, OSU continues to grapple with its role in fostering equity and addressing the concerns of its minority students.
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OSU is working to improve diversity and inclusion
While Ohio State University has made some progress in fostering a more accessible, diverse, and inclusive campus community, there is still much to be done. In 2018, African-American male enrollment was at 2.6%, and less than 7% of OSU students identify as African-American, despite making up over 12% of the state's residents. The university has been working to attract and support minority students through initiatives like the American Talent Initiative, which aims to enrol 50,000 low and moderate-income students at top colleges in 10 years. Additionally, OSU offers the Buckeye Student Leadership Academy, a three-day trip for high school seniors to experience college life.
OSU has also made strides in increasing the number of Black faculty members, although they continue to be underrepresented at the full professor level, making up only 2.7%. The university provides access to LinkedIn Learning, with over 18,000 courses for faculty and staff to develop their careers and explore personal interests. Staff Professional Development Funds are also available to identify development opportunities and expand skills.
OSU has taken steps to address the enduring disconnect between the racial makeup of flagship universities and their home states. The university considered but did not require SAT and ACT scores for admission in 2020, with average grant aid higher for low-income students. The amount of support OSU provides for low-income students is comparable to that of the average public AAU school, with households earning under $30,000 receiving an average of $20,100 in grant aid.
While the university's Office of Diversity and Inclusion has been dissolved, scholarships and student support programming will continue to be administered through the Office of Academic Affairs. Despite these efforts, there is still a lack of representation for African-American students and faculty at OSU, and the university must continue to work towards creating a more diverse and inclusive environment.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2020, Black students made up 6.2% of the full-time freshman population at Ohio State University. For full-time transfers, Black students made up 10.3% of the student population.
While there has been an increase in tenured Black faculty, Black professors are still underrepresented at Ohio State University. They make up only 2.7% of full professors.
The total enrollment at Ohio State University is approximately 61,369 students, with 42,734 undergraduates and 9,888 graduate students.
There are approximately 31,601 female students and 29,768 male students at Ohio State University. This means that there are 40% more female students than male students.
Many Black students at Ohio State University do not feel supported by the institution. A recent report found that Black students at majority-white institutions were unsure or disagreed with the idea that their universities valued Black students.
