A routine Google search by the Ada Icon for “Ada, Ohio” news revealed that ONU decisions regarding the sale of “Back the Blue” t-shirts by the ONU College Republicans have been discussed online since September.

It was also the subject of a political roundtable discussion in Kenton on November 6.

Ohio Northern University department of Communications and Marketing released the following statement to the Ada Icon on November 8:

Ohio Northern University is a private university located in Ada, Ohio, and has more than 200 recognized student organizations, one of which is the College Republicans. Recognized student organizations have certain privileges and responsibilities, including seeking approval when an organization wishes to sell merchandise. Part of that approval process is engaging and educating students about the potential impact of selling items of merchandise to members of our close-knit campus community that values "strength through diversity," as stated on our University seal. Ohio Northern University supports, values and celebrates students’ civic engagement.

Statements in recent media reports about the ONU College Republicans’ Back the Blue shirts are inaccurate and untrue.

Specifically, the University has never censored anyone from wearing a Back the Blue shirt. No student was ever told he or she could not wear a Back the Blue shirt. Moreover, the College Republicans initial request to sell Black the Blue shirts was not denied, as falsely claimed in media reports.

The University supports the College Republicans selling the Back the Blue shirts to their members as mutually agreed.

We also affirm support for law enforcement, our own public safety officers, ongoing partnerships with the local police, the county sheriff’s office and our strong academic programs in law and criminal justice.