A new report reveals that Ohio State University (OSU) is spending millions of dollars on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) staff and programs, sparking debate about the role of DEI initiatives in higher education and the influence of foreign funding on university research.
According to the report by Open The Books, OSU spent $13.3 million on salaries for 201 employees in DEI-related roles last year. This amount is equivalent to the full tuition for over 1,000 in-state students at the university’s main campus in Columbus.
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The highest-paid DEI officials at OSU earn nearly $300,000 annually, with another 29 employees earning between $100,000 and $269,000. These salaries are funded by a combination of taxpayer dollars and student tuition.
The report also highlights concerns about the content of some DEI programs and coursework, particularly in the area of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Critics argue that these programs promote a radical left-wing ideology and are not aligned with the values of many taxpayers and students.
Furthermore, the report raises questions about the influence of foreign funding on university research and activities. OSU has received over $200 million from foreign sources since 2013, including $15.8 million from China and $7.7 million from Saudi Arabia. These countries have been criticized for their human rights records and their potential influence on academic freedom.
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The report cites a case in 2021 where an OSU researcher was convicted of fraud for using federal grant money to support research in China. This incident has fueled concerns about foreign governments using universities to advance their own agendas.
In addition to DEI spending, the report also highlights what it considers to be questionable use of federal grant money at OSU. Examples include funding for a rock climbing program for girls and non-binary individuals, research on insect protein as a food source, and studies on vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
The report concludes by calling for greater transparency in university spending and a re-evaluation of the role of DEI initiatives in higher education. It argues that the current DEI framework is divisive and costly, and that universities should prioritize academic excellence and the needs of students and taxpayers.
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This report is likely to generate further debate about the role of DEI in higher education and the influence of foreign funding on universities. It raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and the use of public funds in academic institutions.
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