In rain, snow, and bitter cold, a steady drumbeat of small protests has echoed across campuses like Ohio State University recently. Activists are uniting under a single clarion call: to remove billionaire retail mogul Les Wexner’s name from buildings prominently featuring it.
The protests stem from a growing concern among union nurses at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, former athletes at the Les Wexner Football Complex, and student leaders who are increasingly aware of Wexner’s association with the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. This awareness has fueled demands from students and activists across the nation to re-examine institutional ties to individuals linked to abuse and exploitation.
Efforts to disassociate from Wexner are not isolated to Ohio State. Similar sentiments are arising at Harvard University, particularly regarding the Leslie H. Wexner Building. Here, students and faculty have submitted requests to remove the name due to Wexner’s ties to Epstein, arguing that his financial influence allowed the notorious financier to perpetrate vast acts of trafficking and abuse.
The movement for renaming is indicative of a larger backlash against academia's affiliation with figures tied to Epstein, who had established connections across realms of power in business and education. As scrutiny grows, numerous institutions are reevaluating their donor relationships and the contexts of their benefactions.
Ohio State’s activist groups point to a critical need for moral accountability, urging that continuing to honor Wexner's contributions would dismiss the voices of survivors and former athletes alike. A recent protest banner read, No name for a predator; respect the survivors.”
Harvard’s situation reflects a similar tension. In addition to Wexner, alumni are demanding the removal of the Farkas name from Farkas Hall, which has been tied to troubled past dealings with Epstein, including financial donations that can be construed as enabling abuse.
Pressure is not confined to these schools. Haverford College recently approved a resolution asking its president to expedite the renaming of the Allison & Howard Lutnick Library due to Lutnick’s connections with Epstein, quickly joining the ranks of institutions reconsidering the names that adorn their buildings.
Critically, this growing movement serves as a moment of reckoning for universities deeply intertwined with large donations from controversial figures. Donors previously celebrated for their generosity now face increased scrutiny as younger generations demand transparency and ethical standards from their institutions.
In these turbulent times, students like Lauren Barnes from Harvard's Kennedy School articulate the struggle faced by survivors as they navigate spaces associated with dubious benefactors. Every step under Wexner’s name feels like a weight,” she expressed, highlighting the communal trauma borne by those affected by Epstein’s actions.
Ultimately, the demand for renaming and accountability on campuses reflects a maturation of societal norms, as benefactors’ legacies are increasingly weighed against the moral implications of their actions and affiliations. As institutions strive to foster inclusivity and respect for survivors, the full story behind their namesakes is being drawn out into the light, prompting discussions that may lead to significant cultural shifts within academia and beyond.
