By Aaron Knapp, Staff Writer
COLUMBUS, OH – In a move that has ignited fierce debate across Ohio’s academic landscape, Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act (Substitute Senate Bill 1). The Republican-backed legislation, enacted over the strenuous objections of Democrats, university professors, and student protesters, introduces sweeping changes to the state’s public colleges and universities.
The new law, set to take effect 90 days from Friday, March 28, 2025, touches nearly every facet of higher education in the state, from curriculum and faculty relations to institutional funding and governance. Its proponents argue it will foster intellectual diversity and end perceived liberal bias, while critics decry it as an attack on academic freedom and a detriment to the quality of education.
One of the most significant aspects of the legislation is its impact on labor relations. The act explicitly prohibits full-time faculty members at state institutions of higher education from striking, amending Section 4117.14 of the Ohio Revised Code to include them in the list of public employees barred from such action. This change will undoubtedly reshape the dynamics of negotiations between universities and faculty unions.
The bill also takes aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses. Section 3345.0217 mandates the prohibition of mandatory DEI training or programming for students, faculty, and staff, with limited exceptions. It also restricts the use of DEI considerations in hiring, promotion, and admissions decisions and calls for the elimination of DEI offices or departments.
In an effort to promote what supporters call “intellectual diversity,” the law requires universities to adopt policies allowing students to reach their own conclusions about controversial beliefs without institutional “indoctrination” (Section 3345.0216). It also mandates a process for addressing student complaints regarding a lack of intellectual diversity (Section 3345.0218). Furthermore, Section 3345.0217 requires institutions to demonstrate intellectual diversity in various academic processes, including course approval and student evaluations.
Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, Section 3345.029 will require all state institutions to make undergraduate course syllabi publicly available online, including instructor qualifications and course content.
The legislation brings significant changes to faculty evaluation and tenure processes. Section 3345.45 updates faculty workload policies, emphasizing that these are not subject to collective bargaining. It also mandates a review of tenure policies and introduces a post-tenure review process (Section 3345.453) triggered by consecutive “does not meet performance expectations” evaluations. Section 3345.452 requires comprehensive annual performance evaluations for faculty, with student evaluations accounting for at least 25% of the teaching component.
In terms of curriculum, Section 3345.382 will require all bachelor’s degree students graduating in the spring of 2030 or later to complete a three-credit-hour course in American civic literacy, with a mandated reading list including foundational documents like the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers.
The act also addresses institutional ties with foreign entities, specifically prohibiting state institutions from accepting gifts from the government of the People’s Republic of China (Section 3345.591).
Furthermore, the bill introduces greater legislative oversight of universities. Section 3345.88 mandates equal treatment of all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in all aspects of university operations and prohibits certain discriminatory training. It also grants lawmakers the power to withhold or reduce state funds for non-compliance (Section 3345.0217). Additionally, Section 3345.80 requires universities to prepare rolling five-year summaries of their institutional costs for legislative review.
Finally, the terms of office for trustees appointed on or after July 1, 2025, at several state universities, including The Ohio State University, Ohio University, and others, will be reduced from nine to six years. The bill also mandates a feasibility study on implementing three-year bachelor’s degree programs in the state.
Governor DeWine announced the signing in a Friday afternoon release, accompanied by a photo with Republican legislative leaders and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel. He did not arrange any public appearance for the bill signing.
The legislation has drawn sharp criticism. Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, a Columbus Democrat, condemned the bill as “state-sponsored censorship and discrimination” that will harm Ohio’s higher education system. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus also voiced strong opposition, warning of negative impacts on minority communities.
Conversely, conservative groups like the Buckeye Institute praised the bill. Greg Lawson, a fellow with the institute, stated that the policies in Senate Bill 1 will ensure a diverse intellectual environment and accountability for faculty.
As the 90-day countdown begins, Ohio’s colleges and universities are bracing for the implementation of these wide-ranging changes, which are poised to reshape the landscape of higher education in the state for years to come.