Justice & Equity
Role and Mission
The mission of the Justice and Equity Committee is to ensure and promote inclusivity at all levels of the Ohio State University. We intend to achieve an environment free from discrimination, inequality, and marginalization of minoritized classes, ensuring equal treatment for all people, backgrounds, and viewpoints. Through legislation, education, and advocacy, we pursue these goals for the general welfare of the student body.
Current Projects
Arab Night
Native Visibility
Mixed Race Mixer
Diversity Summit
*These projects are all about platforming different voices within our Ohio State community and making sure all students can learn from and participate in celebrations of different cultural identities.
Accomplishments
In the past four years, Justice and Equity has been responsible for working with native communities on behalf of USG, increasing visibility for women in leadership, defending diversity broadly at the university level, and beginning on one of the largest celebrations of queer identities at Ohio State in Queer Week!
Directors of Justice and Equity
Ethan Lucas (he/him/his) is a 2027 English and Political Science student from Buffalo, Ohio, serving as a co-director of the Justice and Equity Committee. He is passionate about fostering inclusive dialogue and uplifting underrepresented voices within the campus community. His favorite USG memory is Queer Excellence Night 2025, a celebration that highlighted the vibrancy and strength of LGBTQ+ students at Ohio State.
Aeris McDaniel (she/her) is a junior from Wilmington, Ohio, double-majoring in Criminology/Criminal Justice and Political Science. She serves as the Co-Director of Justice and Equity, where she is committed to fostering inclusion and advocating for equitable experiences across campus. Her favorite USG memory is attending Queer Excellence Night 2024, where she watched a drag queen perform for the first time.
Deputy Director of Justice and Equity
Andrea Chacon-Ruiz (she/her) is a junior studying International Business and Political Science from Chicago, Illinois. She serves as the Deputy Director of the Justice and Equity Committee, where she’s passionate about uplifting diverse voices and fostering meaningful change on campus. Her favorite USG memory is getting to know students from all different backgrounds and collaborating to make impactful improvements at Ohio State.
Projects & Policy
-
Diversity Requirements in First Year Success Series
-
EndHateOSU
-
No Bliss in Ignorance: A Conversation about Africa on March 5th at 7 PM in the Great Hall of the Ohio Union
-
Expansion of Gender-Inclusive Housing Expansion
-
Expansion of Faith-Friendly Dining Options
-
Diversity Summit
-
Queer Week
It can often be hard to fight for some of these things that we know to be worth fighting for, but with a team at your back, it is made so much easier.
Join Justice and Equity if you want to champion the dignity of all peoples and ensure our university recognizes the stories and lives of every person and community in our Buckeye family!