COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — On the campus of Ohio State University, students have braved rain, snow, and bitter cold as they rally for one cause: to remove billionaire retail mogul Les Wexner’s name from multiple buildings associated with him.
The issue primarily revolves around Wexner’s controversial connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sexual predator. Concerns have been raised by union nurses at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, former athletes at the Wexner Football Complex, and student leaders who routinely pass by the Wexner Center for the Arts. They argue that honoring Wexner, who claims he was 'duped' by Epstein, is inappropriate given the latter's notorious history.
A similar outcry is happening at prestigious institutions like Harvard, where a group of students and faculty from the Kennedy School is petitioning to change the names of buildings tied to Wexner. They criticize his associations with Epstein, positing that Wexner’s wealth facilitated Epstein’s abusive actions.
The discussion surrounding Wexner extends beyond one campus. At Haverford College, students have also voted to initiate the process of renaming the Howard Lutnick Library, named after a man under scrutiny for his connections to Epstein.
Ohio State's current procedures for reviewing naming rights are being scrutinized, and new university president Ravi Bellamkonda has affirmed that all requests will be given thorough consideration. In tandem, alumni and activists are expressing their frustration over buildings associated with individuals whose pasts are now viewed through a lens of moral accountability.
With mounting pressure from various institutions, the movement to rename various facilities linked to Epstein’s associates is increasingly resonating across campuses nationwide. Advocates for name removal argue that these changes would not only represent accountability but also foster a campus environment that promotes safety and respect for survivors of abuse.
