Controversy Erupts at OSU Over Ban on Land Acknowledgments

In September 2025, Ohio State University (OSU) implemented a policy restricting the use of Native American land acknowledgments in most official communications, aligning with the state's recently enacted Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1). This decision has ignited debate among faculty, students, and Indigenous advocates regarding academic freedom and the recognition of Indigenous histories.

S.B. 1, also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on March 28, 2025, and took effect on June 27, 2025. The legislation prohibits public colleges and universities from endorsing or opposing controversial beliefs or policies, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and imposes restrictions on faculty strikes and tenure protections. Proponents argue that the bill promotes intellectual diversity, while opponents contend it undermines academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

In response to S.B. 1, OSU updated its "Philosophy on Institutional and Leadership Statements" in June 2025, stating that the university and its units will not "endorse or oppose" controversial beliefs or policies, except on matters directly affecting operations, funding, or the academic mission. Subsequently, in September 2025, OSU restricted the use of land acknowledgments—statements recognizing the Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the land where the university now stands. The new policy considers land acknowledgments as statements on behalf of an issue or cause, thereby prohibiting their inclusion in official communications such as syllabi, websites, and events. However, faculty retain the academic freedom to discuss land acknowledgments when directly relevant to course content.

This policy change has drawn criticism from various quarters. Faculty members and academic organizations express concerns that these restrictions infringe upon academic freedom and the ability to engage in open discourse on important societal issues. Indigenous advocates argue that acknowledging the historical and contemporary realities of the university's location on Indigenous land is a factual statement, not an act of activism, and that prohibiting land acknowledgments erases Indigenous presence and history.

The implementation of S.B. 1 and OSU's subsequent policy changes have also led to campus activism. On March 4, 2025, a "Shred SB1" rally was organized by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)–Ohio State and the Ohio Student Association to oppose the bill and its implications for university policies and campus culture. Hundreds of students and faculty participated, voicing concerns over the potential impact on academic freedom and diversity initiatives.

Comparatively, other Ohio universities such as Bowling Green State University, the University of Akron, the University of Toledo, and Miami University have adopted land acknowledgments, highlighting OSU's unique stance in prohibiting them. This divergence underscores the ongoing debate over the role of higher education institutions in acknowledging and addressing historical injustices.

The broader implications of these policy changes extend beyond OSU. They reflect a growing trend of legislative influence on university policies, raising questions about the balance between state oversight and institutional autonomy. As universities navigate these changes, the discourse surrounding academic freedom, diversity initiatives, and the recognition of Indigenous histories continues to evolve, shaping the future of higher education in Ohio and beyond.

In conclusion, OSU's prohibition of most land acknowledgments, in compliance with S.B. 1, has sparked significant debate over academic freedom and the recognition of Indigenous histories. As the university community grapples with these changes, the conversation underscores the complex interplay between legislation, institutional policy, and the values of diversity and inclusion in higher education.