OSU professor disciplined for antisemitic remarks | Local News

The Ohio State University in Columbus is requiring Jackie Buell, a professor in the school of health & rehabilitation sciences, to take steps to improve her cultural awareness before being reinstated to teach at the university.

This comes after an internal investigation of an incident where she used the term “Jew down” several times in an October 2021 lecture. According to a March 21 letter from Dr. Carol Bradford, the dean of OSU’s college of medicine, Buell must continue to work on growing her “cultural competency, and must demonstrate this growth to the College.”

In order to return to teaching in the fall, Buell, who has already been meeting with rabbis from the Schottenstein Chabad House, must also “have an educational discussion with a staff member from OIE (Office of Institutional Equity) regarding best practices around non-discrimination and harassment,” Bradford wrote.

Additionally, she is required to meet monthly over the next year with Dr. Ajit Chaudhari at the medical school “to discuss the lessons you have learned and the steps you are taking to address the concerns associated with this matter,” she said in the letter. “As part of those meetings, you will be assigned additional training and education opportunities, which may include those on BuckeyeLearn and through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The progress noted in these meetings will be considered as part of your annual reviews, and may be used to determine what additional opportunities are available to you.”

Additionally, Wexner Medical Center issued the following statement regarding its investigation into Buell’s behavior:

“Professor Buell’s comments were inappropriate and unacceptable and considerably diverged from the expected standard. Her conduct was investigated by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) in accordance with the university’s standard policy. Buell did not teach any classes during the spring semester while the investigation progressed, and she must continue to demonstrate growth before returning to the classroom this summer.

“The College of Medicine has required Buell to continue her education with OIE regarding non-discrimination and harassment, and has required her to meet monthly for the next 12 months with School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Ajit Chaudhari. As part of those meetings, she must complete additional training and education as well as show continued progress.”