Latest news with #MarkVopat
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
YSU faculty union votes to support referendum to repeal Senate Bill 1
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — With 93% of its members voting yes, Youngstown State University's Faculty Union has voted to support a statewide referendum to repeal Senate Bill 1. The bill, which was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on March 28, bans faculty strikes, limits campus speech and eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion programs. An effort is underway to gather the necessary signatures and place the issue on the November ballot. 'SB 1 fundamentally changes higher education in Ohio. Voters should decide whether this sweeping, expensive legislation becomes law,' said YSU-OEA President Mark Vopat. The union spoke out against the bill after it was passed and began its efforts to start the referendum last month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
YSU faculty union starting referendum to SB 1
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — YSU's faculty union has announced it's starting a referendum on Senate Bill 1. The bill makes changes to higher education, including changes to unions and diversity equity and inclusion programs. Gov. Mike DeWine signed SB 1 on March 28. YSU-OEA is collecting signatures to get SB 1 on the ballot for Ohioans to vote on. 'This referendum gives Ohioans the opportunity to decide whether this law, which restricts campus free speech and instruction on controversial beliefs and policies, goes into effect,' the union stated in a press release. The union spoke out against the bill earlier this month, citing concerns over the bill's stipulations banning professors from endorsing any 'controversial beliefs or policies,' changes to how universities approve tenure for professors and prohibit faculty unions from going on strike. 'SB 1 is yet another nail in the coffins of unions and freedom of speech in Ohio,' said YSU-OEA President Mark Vopat. 'This is a watered-down federal approach to DEI that leaves universities vulnerable because there is no clear guidance on 'controversial topics,' while it also attacks union rights. We expect that other public unions will be next.' Molly Burke contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
