Ohio Senate Bill 1, which took effect in June 2025, has had a significant impact on the state’s public colleges and universities. The law, which was passed by Republican lawmakers, ended most diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, stripped faculty members’ right to strike, and instituted new policies and procedures.

Changes to Teaching and Research

Professors at several public colleges, including Ohio State University and Wright State University, have reported changes to their teaching and research methods. Nick Denton, a senior lecturer at Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy, said that the law has made his research work more difficult. He also noted that some of his colleagues have started recording their lectures in case they are taken out of context.

Dayton’s Wright State University is cutting 15 academic programs as part of Senate Bill 1’s requirement to end offerings that enroll and graduate few students. The university’s health and physical education program was one of the programs cut, resulting in the loss of jobs for several professors, including Kevin Lorson, who left the state to take a new position at Mississippi State University.

Faculty Concerns

Linda Quinn, who heads up the faculty union at Cleveland State University, expressed concerns about the law’s impact on faculty members. She noted that at least two educators have resigned recently due to the law’s effects on the LGBTQ climate on campus.

David Niven, a professor at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Public and International Affairs, said that Senate Bill 1 has delayed the process of proposing and approving new classes. He attributed this to the difficulty of proving that a course demonstrates “intellectual diversity,” a requirement of the law.

Despite concerns from faculty members, State Sen. Jerry Cirino, who authored the bill, has celebrated its first year as a success. He argued that the law has allowed conservative educators and students to express their views without fear of self-censorship.

Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.