University of Cincinnati removes 'biological' bathroom signs, wasting $16K

The University of Cincinnati has removed its controversial "biological" bathroom signs just a little over one month after they went up.

The Ohio university came under fire in February after plastering signs on some of its restrooms that read “biological men” or “biological women,” supposedly to comply with a new state law. Senate Bill 104 mandates that students at public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities use restrooms and other facilities according to their sex assigned at birth.

The bill took effect 90 days after it was signed it into law by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in November. The university — which was not required by law to hang the signs — erected them one week early anyways.

The university has since removed the signs after widespread backlash, including a protest attended by hundreds of students. Maintenance staff had to put up then take down 117 signs across four residential communities on campus, university spokesperson M.B. Reilly told The Cincinnati Enquirer, bringing the total cost of labor and materials to $16,000.

The university has said that hanging the signs was an "error," though they did not elaborate on how the "error" was made. Vice provost Nicole Mayo and vice president Bleuzette Marshall sent an email to students, obtained by the outlet, shortly after the protest that only stated, "This was an error on our part, and we apologize for the harm it may have caused."

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The University of Cincinnati also came under fire for its advance compliance with Senate Bill 1, which prohibits "any orientation or training course regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion," "the continuation of existing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or departments," "establishing new diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or departments," "using diversity, equity, and inclusion in job descriptions," and establishing "any new institutional scholarships that use diversity, equity, and inclusion in any manner."

University officials also cited Donald Trump's executive orders against DEI, parts of which had been blocked by a federal court. University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto released a statement saying the school would be examining its DEI initiatives and “evaluating jobs and duties related to DEI" before the law had even passed.

The ACLU of Ohio denounced the bill's passage, with Policy Director Jocelyn Rosnicksaying in a statement, "As students nationwide witness the ongoing assaults against their First Amendment rights, it is disheartening to see Ohio’s own legislators follow suit in this dangerous pattern of stifling political discourse."

"By dismantling DEI structures, Senate Bill 1 sends a clear, harmful message to students that their unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are not welcome in Ohio," Rosnick said, adding, "Institutions of higher education must remain places where academic freedom and diversity can foster – not be censored."