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Wexner name to remain on Ohio State buildings despite Epstein-driven protests
Brown said the committee lacked enough evidence to justify a full review of more than 500 renaming requests.
On Friday, Ohio State University Interim Provost Trevor Brown announced the university will not remove Les Wexner's name from campus buildings, halting a months-long review despite hundreds of requests.
The Standing Advisory Committee for the Review of University Space and Entity Names had recommended a full review after 512 individuals submitted requests citing concerns over Wexner's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Brown stated the university's naming procedure requires "substantial evidence" of misconduct to justify removal, noting Wexner has donated more than $200 million and has never been charged with a crime.
OSU alumnus Steve Snyder-Hill, who led the removal effort, called the decision "expected," describing it as insulting to sexual assault survivors seeking action against the university's ties to Epstein.
Brown indicated the procedure allows for future review if new substantive evidence becomes publicly available, though he emphasized the committee is not an investigatory body with subpoena power.