Ohio House Passes Controversial Senate Bill 1 Amid Protests
Toledo, Ohio — The Ohio House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 1, known as the “Enact Advance Ohio Higher Education Act,” following a contentious debate and statewide protests, including a demonstration held outside the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday.
The bill, which aims to reshape policies surrounding higher education in Ohio, passed the House with a 58-34 vote. It now returns to the Ohio Senate for a concurrence vote after an amendment was added during the House’s deliberation. The bill originally passed in the Senate earlier this year, and the addition of the amendment will require the Senate to review the updated version before it can become law.
Senate Bill 1 includes several provisions that have stirred controversy across the state. Among its most notable measures are a prohibition on the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public universities and a ban on faculty strikes. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), has argued that these provisions will foster a “diversity of thought” on college campuses by encouraging more conservative viewpoints and centering political discourse around a broader range of perspectives.
“This bill aims to move campuses away from left-leaning ideologies and give more space for conservative voices,” Cirino said during a testimony last week. He also emphasized that the bill would prevent universities and faculty from taking positions on controversial political topics, promoting a neutral stance in academic settings.
However, Senate Bill 1 has faced significant opposition from various groups, especially from students, faculty, and university staff. Hundreds of letters expressing dissent were submitted during the legislative process, and protests have erupted across the state, particularly at Ohio’s major universities. At Ohio State University, students gathered in large numbers to voice their opposition while Cirino gave his sponsor testimony. Additionally, the student governments of several universities, including Ohio State, Bowling Green State University, John Carroll University, and Kent State University, have formally denounced the bill.
Supporters of the bill, including organizations such as the American Council of Trustees and Alumni and the National Association of Scholars, argue that it is a necessary step toward rebalancing campus discourse and protecting the interests of conservative students and faculty members. These groups assert that universities should encourage open debate, free from the influence of political correctness or ideological conformity.
Despite these endorsements, the bill has sparked a heated debate about the role of universities in fostering political and intellectual diversity. Critics argue that it undermines academic freedom and interferes with universities’ ability to address important social issues. They also fear that it will limit opportunities for marginalized groups, particularly by restricting DEI programs and scholarships aimed at supporting underrepresented students.
The Ohio House also voted on several amendments to the bill, including provisions aimed at protecting free speech in public institutions and safeguarding DEI-related scholarships. These amendments reflect ongoing efforts to address some of the concerns raised by opponents, but the core provisions of the bill remain largely unchanged.
As Senate Bill 1 moves back to the Senate for further consideration, the future of Ohio’s higher education system hangs in the balance. The bill’s passage is a critical moment in the broader national debate over academic freedom, political speech, and the role of higher education in shaping future generations.
The outcome of the upcoming Senate vote will determine whether Ohio’s universities will undergo significant shifts in policy, or if the bill will be halted before it can take effect. The growing opposition suggests that the conversation around the bill is far from over, with protests and public debates likely to continue in the coming weeks.
