COLUMBUS, Ohio — An online petition circulating on social media is calling on The Ohio State University to remove the name of billionaire Les Wexner from campus buildings, citing his past ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The petition, addressed to the university’s president and Board of Trustees, argues that maintaining Wexner’s name on facilities — including the Wexner Medical Center and the Wexner Center for the Arts — undermines the institution’s integrity.

“The Ohio State University does not call itself merely ‘Ohio State.’ It calls itself THE Ohio State University,” the petition states. “That word is not decorative. It is declarative. It is a claim to singular authority, singular integrity, and a singular responsibility to the people of this state.”

The petition alleges that documents released in February 2026 by the U.S. Department of Justice placed Wexner “back at the center of the Jeffrey Epstein inquiry” and references claims that he was once labeled an “unindicted co-conspirator.” It calls on the university to publicly acknowledge “institutional harm” and begin the process of removing Wexner’s name from university facilities.

Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, had longstanding financial and professional ties to Wexner. Wexner has said he severed ties with Epstein in 2007 and has denied any wrongdoing. Through his attorneys, Wexner has previously stated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct during their association.

Wexner, the founder of L Brands (Victoria’s Secret) and one of Ohio’s wealthiest individuals, has been a major donor to Ohio State. The university’s medical center and arts center bear his name in recognition of philanthropic contributions.

The petition contends that keeping Wexner’s name on university buildings conflicts with the values the institution says it represents and states that “naming an entity at THE Ohio State University is a privilege, not a permanent right.”

As of Monday, the petition had gathered over 1,300 signatures.

Ohio State has previously stated that it evaluates naming decisions in accordance with university policies and governance procedures.