COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — The bill to make changes to higher education in Ohio is now heading to the governor’s desk.
The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 1 on Thursday afternoon. The bill would end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on Ohio college campuses and prevent university faculty from going on strike. It also prohibits universities from taking positions on controversial beliefs or policies, such as climate change, abortion, or immigration.
Professors will be required to post their syllabi online, and any undergraduate degree program with fewer than five graduates in three years will be eliminated. Additionally, students will be required to take a civics literacy course to graduate.
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus urged Gov. Mike DeWine to veto the bill, calling it a threat to free speech. The caucus also argued that eliminating DEI programs would remove pathways for underrepresented students.
