Ohio Enacts Controversial Higher Education Reform Law

On March 28, 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed into law the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, also known as Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1), introducing significant reforms to the state's public higher education system. The legislation took effect on June 27, 2025, and has since sparked extensive debate among educators, students, and policymakers.

S.B. 1 encompasses several key provisions:

• Ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs: Public colleges and universities are prohibited from implementing DEI programs, courses, and mandatory training.

• Prohibition of Faculty Strikes: Full-time faculty members are barred from striking during contract negotiations.

• Mandatory Civics Course: Students must complete a three-credit-hour course on American civics literacy to graduate.

• Transparency Requirements: Institutions are required to make course syllabi, assignments, and faculty backgrounds publicly available.

• Restrictions on Institutional Positions: Public institutions are prohibited from taking positions on controversial beliefs or policies, including topics like climate change, immigration, and abortion.

• Elimination of Low-Enrollment Majors: Degree programs with fewer than five graduates over three years must be eliminated.

• Ban on Gifts and Partnerships with China: Universities and colleges are prohibited from accepting donations and gifts from China.

• Shortened Terms for University Trustees: Trustee terms are reduced from nine to six years.

Supporters of the legislation argue that it promotes intellectual diversity and free speech on campuses. Senator Jerry C. Cirino, the bill's sponsor, stated, "My bill will return our public universities and colleges to their rightful mission of education rather than indoctrination."

Opponents contend that the law undermines academic freedom and labor rights. House Minority Leader Allison Russo expressed concerns that the law enforces state-sponsored censorship and could harm Ohio’s reputation and economy.

In response to the new law, public universities and colleges in Ohio are actively working to comply with its provisions. Ohio University has been monitoring the bill's progress and preparing for operational changes to achieve compliance within the 90-day implementation period. Similarly, Wright State University is committed to full compliance with federal and state laws, including the requirements set forth by S.B. 1.

The enactment of S.B. 1 has also led to specific institutional decisions. For instance, Ohio State University (OSU) has chosen not to adopt a Native American land acknowledgment, a stance influenced by the enforcement of the new law. This decision has drawn attention, particularly during Native American Heritage Month, and has been criticized by faculty members who view it as overly restrictive and confusing.

Efforts to repeal the law have faced challenges. A petition campaign to repeal the ban on DEI programs and faculty strikes failed to gather the required 250,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot, allowing S.B. 1 to go into effect as scheduled.

The implementation of S.B. 1 reflects a broader national trend of legislative efforts targeting DEI initiatives in higher education. Similar measures have been observed in other states, such as Florida's Senate Bill 266 in 2023, which also targeted DEI initiatives in higher education.

As Ohio's higher education institutions continue to adapt to the new law, the long-term implications for academic freedom, faculty rights, and institutional policies remain to be seen. The ongoing debate underscores the complex balance between promoting intellectual diversity and preserving the autonomy of educational institutions.