Ohio State University officials have been working to open the Salmon P. Chase Center for Intellectual Diversity since a statute was passed in 2023.
The Board of Trustees’ Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee met on Wednesday to approve a proposal to formally establish the center.
In a vote on Jan. 23, the university’s senate voted against formally establishing the center. However, because the center is mandated by state law, this does not prevent it from being established.
Formally establishing the Chase Center would allow it to offer courses, degrees and graduate programs. The center would also be officially recognized as a tenure-initiating unit.
The proposal aligns with what is mandated by state law and is set to be voted on by the full Board of Trustees on Feb.19.
Approval by the board is required for the center to begin hiring staff.