In brief
At Ohio State University and other institutions, a growing number of protests are demanding the removal of names linked to Jeffrey Epstein from campus buildings. Students and former athletes argue that acknowledging figures like Les Wexner—who has faced scrutiny for his connections to Epstein—discredits the values of accountability and transparency. Protests have escalated amid wider backlash against businesses and donors with ties to Epstein, indicating a cultural shift in higher education.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Protests are steadily gaining momentum on the Ohio State University campus, as students advocate for the removal of billionaire Les Wexner’s name from campus buildings due to his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Union nurses at Wexner Medical Center and former athletes at the Wexner Football Complex have voiced their concerns, citing Wexner's longstanding ties with Epstein, which they believe tarnish the integrity of the institutions bearing his name.The movement extends beyond Ohio State, with similar petitions emerging at Harvard University and other educational institutions across the country. Students are urging their administrations to reconsider the legacies of those linked to Epstein, stressing the ethical implications of maintaining these names in light of their controversial backgrounds.Wexner has publicly denied any wrongdoing or criminal activity connected to Epstein, claiming he was “duped” by the financier. Yet, former athletes at Ohio State who survived past sexual abuse scandals argue that Wexner's financial contributions to the university cannot be overlooked, especially given Epstein's involvement in various financial decisions tied to the school's facilities.Meanwhile, Harvard students are advocating for the removal of Wexner's name from the Kennedy School, emphasizing the negative implications of honoring someone connected to a figure like Epstein. They argue that Epstein exploited Wexner’s fortune, facilitating his criminal activities.Other institutions are facing similar pressure to review naming rights associated with alumni or donors linked to Epstein. For example, Haverford College's student body recently voted to support a resolution to rename the Howard Lutnick Library, named after a U.S. commerce secretary under scrutiny for his relationship with Epstein.University officials are responding to the mounting pressure with promises of thorough reviews while balancing their financial ties to past generous donors. They are confronted with the challenge of reconciling past relationships with current societal expectations for accountability and ethical conduct within higher education.As these discussions unfold, advocates and survivors of abuse emphasize the need for transparency and accountability, hoping that removing names tied to such controversy can contribute to a healthier campus environment. In a cultural moment that increasingly rejects complicity with harmful associations, universities may find themselves at a crossroads, needing to reassess whom they choose to honor.
