ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) — President Donald Trump’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in education has left many schools scrambling to comply. Ohio State recently closed its diversity and inclusion office.  

Now, Ohio University has announced its placing its Black Alumni Reunion on hold.  

“When we think about the current climate in our nation in general, it’s concerning, because what’s next?,” said Michelle Calloway, an Ohio University alum.  

The news surrounding the university’s second-largest alumni reunion, behind homecoming, has many concerned. It also comes just days after the university’s president Lori Gonzalez said she stood by student protests against legislation disrupting DEI programs. 

Anthony Webb graduated from Ohio University in 1976. He sits on the alumni board. He’s never missed a reunion. The tradition goes back to the 1980s and attracted thousands of participants across the globe in 2022. Webb said he was planning on flying in from Philadelphia.   

“I catch a train, a plane, and an automobile to get to Athens, Ohio,” Webb said. “It has a lot of meaning to people just being in Athens. You can’t even put it into words sometimes. It’s O-U.”  

A letter from Ohio University Tuesday stated the Black Alumni Reunion is on pause while they assess the impacts of the ‘dear colleague’ letter from the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights, as well as proposed Ohio Legislation.   

“It went from like wow, to disappointment, to rage because you’re 30 days out,” Webb said.  

The full letter reads: 

“The 2025 Black Alumni Reunion, originally scheduled for April 10-13 in Athens, has been placed on hold. Ohio University and the Alumni Planning Committee are pausing the event to assess the impacts of the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) “Dear Colleague” letter(opens in a new window) as well as proposed State of Ohio legislation. OHIO’s Black Alumni Reunion is an important celebration of the OHIO community and has always been open to all individuals who have an interest in the event. However, based on OCR’s recent guidance related to Title VI compliance, some of the programming historically included in the event may need to be reimagined. The University is obligated to follow OCR’s guidance in order to protect our access to critical federal funding, including students’ continued access to federal financial aid.“While this is difficult news to share, we remain committed to honoring the legacy and accomplishments of Ohio University’s Black alumni. We will continue working with the University to develop a plan that aligns with evolving federal and state guidelines while preserving the significance of this gathering,” said Terry Frazier and Jillian Causey, co-chairs of the BAR Alumni Planning Committee.“We are always eager to welcome our graduates back to campus, so we are disappointed that we need to place this gathering on hold,” said President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “As I shared with our University community(opens in a new window) earlier this week, in light of changes to federal and state guidance, we will need to think differently about some of the ways that we live out our mission and vision, and I’m incredibly thankful for the Planning Committee’s willingness to work with us to reimagine this event moving forward.”The Alumni Planning Committee will meet over the coming months to evaluate next steps.” 

“It’s scary to think that my nieces and nephews, or young people that I mentor may not have opportunities that I once had because there are groups at play that don’t value them,” Calloway said.  

Several O-U alums said they feel the university dropped the ball.   

“It tells us nothing,” Webb said “We want a date. We want a place. How long will this process take?”  

Republican strategist, Mike Gonidakis, called the university’s decision a ‘gross over exaggeration’ of what President Trump asked for in his executive order regarding DEI programs and policies. He said colleges should continue to celebrate African American alumni.  

“I think it’s a very, very obscure reading of what the order says,” Gonidakis. “And I’m rather disappointed in the University president, to be frank. And I’m disappointed in the trustees that it would get to this.”  

“We’ve ended the tyranny of so-called diversity equity and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and indeed the private sector at our military,” President Trump said.  

Calloway said it’s unfortunate to see this current administration take stances that don’t support or value groups of all different backgrounds.   

“I think about how my grandparents and my great grandparents fought for freedom that I have now and I don’t want to see us go back to a place that was really dark in our time,” Calloway said.  

Webb said it’s not like the university didn’t know Senate Bill 1 was around. He believes there should’ve been early conversations and planning.   

“I’m just hoping that the university can come out in a few weeks and take a stand either way, but also listen to the students and the alumni,” Calloway said.  

The Black Alumni Reunion was scheduled for April 10-13. Ohio University said the alumni planning committee will meet over the next few months to plan for next steps.