Ohio State’s Philosophy on Institutional and Leadership Statements uses the university’s Shared Values, the Chicago Principles and the Kalven Report as guiding principles. The philosophy holds that, as a community of scholars, to maintain the neutrality that assures academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression, Ohio State should refrain from taking institutional positions on complex political or global matters, events, natural disasters or tragedies that extend beyond the operations of the university itself.
The university’s philosophy helps to ensure that Ohio State is making decisions based on consistent factors rather than on content or sentiment – and leaves space for opposing views and perspectives within the community. The Board of Trustees adopted Ohio State’s Philosophy on Institutional and Leadership Statements on August 17, 2023.
When an institution releases broad public statements taking a position on one issue, it calls into question silence regarding others. Selecting some tragedies or events and not others can further harm members of our community who are acutely impacted by particular issues. Placing the university in the untenable position of determining on which issues to speak while excluding others does not properly project the care, empathy and value the university has for every member of its community.