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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's how every public university in Ohio is preparing for Senate Bill 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio's public universities have less than two months until Senate Bill 1 goes into effect, and they have a spectrum of responses underway. Senate Bill 1, dubbed the Advance Higher Education Act, will go into effect at the end of June. The bill implements dramatic changes to higher education by banning diversity, equity and inclusion programming, restricting faculty union abilities and requiring universities to sunset majors with low degree conferral rates. Ohio's 14 public universities are now tasked with implementing major changes, and NBC4 is tracking how they are working to comply with SB 1. Southwest Licking rejects levy; board member says another attempt likely Ohio universities said they are collaborating among themselves and speaking with state legislators to ensure they understand all that SB 1 requires. The bill is lengthy but still somewhat ambiguous, especially as it does not define diversity, equity or inclusion. See previous coverage of SB 1 in the video player above. Senate Bill 1 is state law, but federal orders from President Donald Trump, the Department of Education and various research-granting departments also complicate university operations. These directives are wide-ranging but typically target DEI efforts on campuses or alleged antisemitism. To keep up with the wavering guidelines, many institutions have implemented a webpage keeping students informed about relevant legislative changes. Some institutions have also cancelled events promoting DEI, such as Ohio University's Black Alumni Reunion, or quietly removed references to DEI on university websites. Universities have varied dramatically in their communication with students, faculty and staff regarding changes. Many universities have said DEI offices may need to be restructured, but have not formally announced a plan. With plenty of announcements revealing vague proposals, only a few universities have formally announced major changes. NBC4 also reached out to each public university to ask them about SB 1 changes. Find your school below: Akron's Senior Director of External Communications Cristine Boyd said the university's Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL) is hosting a faculty session to discuss how SB 1 may affect teaching. At the event, faculty will hear from university leadership, who will provide updates from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Akron has not announced any major changes yet, although it did not renew its Rethinking Race series for this upcoming year. 'A faculty panel will then share their perspectives on teaching within the context of the new law, and ITL will offer suggestions for syllabus language, assignment design and classroom discussion framing,' Boyd said. Last Friday, BSGU's Board of Trustees passed five resolutions to comply with Senate Bill 1. The resolutions affirmed commitment to intellectual autonomy, disbanding DEI programs, adjusted faculty workload policy, established a new set of questions for faculty evaluations, and created new evaluation policies. Whitehall residents successfully take council-approved tax breaks to a citizen vote BGSU's president addressed students and staff after SB 1 passed, acknowledging that change may be coming and asking for campus feedback. BGSU has a Division of Inclusion and Belonging to support all students, which a spokesperson clarified is different than an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. BGSU said it is still working to identify which identity-specific programming needs adjusted or removed. As Ohio's only public Historically Black College and University, Central State is in a unique position with S.B. 1. So far, the university has said it believes it is already in compliance with the law and has not announced changes. 'At this time, the university has no comment regarding this matter.' Alissa Paolella, Central State communications manager, said. Cleveland State has not announced closure of its Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, although that may not qualify as a DEI office under SB 1. The university did not respond to NBC4's inquiry and has not made information available online regarding SB 1. However, students at Cleveland State have hosted several protests against the bill, both before and after its passage. The university shared an update on April 24 thanking students and staff for their patience as plans for the four campus identity centers are being finalized. The update said the university hopes to restructure their student-centered spaces to promote connections between students. However, the update did not include any major changes or announcements. 'To be clear, these spaces may need to transition in terms of programming but will remain in use for and by our current and future students,' the letter read. Kent State President Todd Diacon has been involved in many discussions about SB 1, but the university is still determining how it will be implemented. Kent State hosted four discussions in April about the new bill, inviting dialogue in townhall-style meetings. Director of University Media Relations Emily Vincent said Diacon estimates SB 1 will cost Kent State $1.5 million-$2 million to implement each year. 'We will follow the law, but it won't change our commitment to each member of our community,' Diacon said. On April 18, Miami announced it is discontinuing its Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence, its Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and Miami Regionals Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Representatives said all impacted staff have been offered other opportunities elsewhere in the university. Ohio bill offers protection for off-label prescriptions Miami said more information about specific changes will be shared once plans are finalized. NEOMED President Dr. John Langell said the university is already in compliance with most of the bill. Although the university used to have a diversity office, that office quietly closed in the past few years. Spokespersons did not address NBC4's inquiry as to when that shuttered. In March, NEOMED announced it would no longer provide university support to student organizations with diverse missions, although they have since walked that decision back due to backlash. 'We are continuing to support all of our student organizations, while ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. Above all, we remain dedicated to providing an Exceptional Student Experience, empowering students to realize their full potential as Ohio's future healthcare leaders,' Langell said. Ohio State was the first university to announce changes in compliance with Senate Bill 1. In February, before the bill's passage, OSU referenced SB 1 in its decision to sunset its diversity offices. OSU faculty and students have been outspoken against the bill, and the university said it advocated for changes to SB 1 to protect academic freedom. The university established an implementation committee with representatives from across campuses to facilitate compliance with the bill. OSU said it will engage stakeholders while deciding how to best comply with the law. Ohio University leadership has invited student and staff input while weighing SB 1's effects. On April 29, the university announced it would close its diversity offices, and women and pride centers to comply with the law. In the announcement, President Lori Gonzalez asked for student and staff feedback to create new spaces to advance equity while remaining in compliance with the law. The university established six work groups to help implement different SB 1 requirements. Read previous coverage of Ohio University's response to SB 1 here. Shawnee State has released limited information about its SB 1 compliance. It did have a DEI resources page, but clicking the link leads to a blocked webpage. It also used to have an Office of Diversity and Inclusion, but clicking that link leads to an Office of Student Engagement. Shawnee State did not respond to NBC4's inquiry about SB 1 or these online changes, and it has not announced updates publicly. Toledo announced it will stop accepting admissions to nine undergraduate majors to comply with low conferral rate requirements: Africana studies, Asian studies, data analytics, disability studies, Middle East studies, philosophy, religious studies, Spanish and Women's and Gender Studies. Toledo spokesperson Nicki Gorny said the changes were announced April 21 so faculty could be made aware before summer. All students in those programs will be able to finish their degrees, and the programs will be offered as minors. 'The University continues to evaluate our campus policies and procedures as it relates to SB1. UToledo, along with other colleges and universities in our state, is engaged with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Inter-University Council of Ohio for guidance,' Gorny said. Wright State has an Office of Diversity Initiatives, but appears to have already adjusted its Office of Equity and Inclusion. A link listing the Office of Equity and Inclusion now leads to a page about the office of the vice president. Earlier this week, that same link went to an Office of Inclusive Excellence but has since been changed. Wright State has not publicly announced any changes under SB 1 and did not respond to NBC4's inquiry. However, its culture and identity centers still appear intact. Youngstown State also did not respond to NBC4's inquiry and has not announced any SB 1 changes. As listed in the 2024-2025 undergraduate student catalog, Youngstown State had an office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the start of the school year. However, the link now leads to a page that reads 'you are not authorized to access this page.' Educators at Youngstown State are responding differently, however. Faculty members organized to take Senate Bill 1 to a referendum vote, allowing citizens to vote on whether to implement SB 1 with enough signatures. On Monday, faculty and other organizers were given state permission to begin collecting the more than 250,000 signatures needed to get SB 1 on the ballot. Organizers have until June 25 to collect and submit valid signatures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University of Michigan shutters all of its DEI offices as Trump continues to exert influence over higher ed
The University of Michigan is closing its diversity, equity and inclusion offices amid President Donald Trump's tirade against the programs. The public university in Ann Arbor is closing its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion, according to a Thursday statement. The university attributed the changes to 'recent federal executive orders.' Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office seeking to end DEI programs, including those at higher education institutions. His administration also launched investigations into dozens of universities this month, alleging they violated civil rights laws with race-based scholarships and programs. 'These decisions have not been made lightly,' the university's statement reads. 'We recognize the changes are significant and will be challenging for many of us, especially those whose lives and careers have been enriched by and dedicated to programs that are now pivoting.' The university will now be investing more money in financial aid, scholarships and mental health support. The school was once a flagship for DEI programs and was considered a model for other schools nationwide. The University of Michigan poured more than $250 million into their DEI program since it started a decade ago, The New York Times reports. The University of Michigan isn't the first school to cave to Trump's efforts to dismantle DEI programs — and it likely won't be the last. Case Western Reserve University, a private school in Cleveland, shuttered its DEI office on Wednesday. University President Eric Kaler cited Trump's executive orders in his announcement, local outlet Signal Cleveland reports. 'We have watched the evolution of the legal challenges to these executive orders, and, as we have seen among some of our peers already, it is clear we must be in compliance with them to receive the federal funding that is critical to our present and future,' Kaler said. Another school making changes to its DEI programs includes the University of Colorado, which took down its DEI webpage and posted a new one for an 'Office of Collaboration.' The University of Akron similarly announced it would no longer host a long-standing 'Rethinking Race' forum, citing federal and state guidance, according to The New York Times.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
University of Michigan shutters all of its DEI offices as Trump continues to exert influence over higher ed
The University of Michigan is closing its diversity, equity and inclusion offices amid President Donald Trump 's tirade against the programs. The public university in Ann Arbor is closing its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion, according to a Thursday statement. The university attributed the changes to 'recent federal executive orders.' Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office seeking to end DEI programs, including those at higher education institutions. His administration also launched investigations into dozens of universities this month, alleging they violated civil rights laws with race-based scholarships and programs. 'These decisions have not been made lightly,' the university's statement reads. 'We recognize the changes are significant and will be challenging for many of us, especially those whose lives and careers have been enriched by and dedicated to programs that are now pivoting.' The university will now be investing more money in financial aid, scholarships and mental health support. The school was once a flagship for DEI programs and was considered a model for other schools nationwide. The University of Michigan poured more than $250 million into their DEI program since it started a decade ago, The New York Times reports. The University of Michigan isn't the first school to cave to Trump's efforts to dismantle DEI programs — and it likely won't be the last. Case Western Reserve University, a private school in Cleveland, shuttered its DEI office on Wednesday. University President Eric Kaler cited Trump's executive orders in his announcement, local outlet Signal Cleveland reports. 'We have watched the evolution of the legal challenges to these executive orders, and, as we have seen among some of our peers already, it is clear we must be in compliance with them to receive the federal funding that is critical to our present and future,' Kaler said. Another school making changes to its DEI programs includes the University of Colorado, which took down its DEI webpage and posted a new one for an 'Office of Collaboration.' The University of Akron similarly announced it would no longer host a long-standing 'Rethinking Race' forum, citing federal and state guidance, according to The New York Times.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump threats have led to cancelled university events for women and Black alumni in Ohio
Alumni Gateway at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. (Stock photo from Getty Images.) Two Ohio universities are not going forward with campus events in response to the U.S. Department of Education's 'Dear Colleague' letter threatening university funding and resources, as well as pending legislation in the Ohio Statehouse. Ohio University canceled its annual Black Alumni Reunion, which was scheduled for April 10-13, and OU's Lancaster campus canceled its Celebrate Women event scheduled for Friday in honor of Women's History Month. The University of Akron decided not to budget for their Rethinking Race forum, a series of events that was historically held in February, but was moved to a fall event last year, university spokesperson Cristine Boyd said. No programming has been scheduled for the fall. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'While the University offers a variety of events for students and the community, we must do so in the context of a state institution that is required to abide by law, regulations and guidance at both the federal and state levels, from which we receive funding,' the university said in a statement. 'As a result of that guidance, the University has decided not to budget for Rethinking Race this year.' Ohio State University closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Life's Center for Belonging and Social Change last month. On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education issued a 'Dear Colleague' letter to higher education institutions and K-12 schools that threatened to rescind federal funds for schools that use race-conscious practices in admissions, programming, training, hiring, scholarships, and other aspects of student life. Feb. 28 was the deadline for schools to comply. In the Ohio Statehouse, Senate Bill 1 would ban diversity and inclusion programs, put diversity scholarships at risk, and restrict classroom discussion, among other things. The Senate passed the bill last month and it is up for a possible vote out of the Ohio House Higher Education and Workforce Committee Wednesday morning, meaning it could go to a full House vote as soon as Wednesday afternoon. Both university statements announcing their event cancellations mentioned the letter and 'proposed State of Ohio legislation.' 'Ohio University is reviewing programming that includes elements that may not comply with the recent guidance,' the university said in a statement about the women's event. 'When necessary, the University is placing events on hold to allow time to review program elements and reimagine events as and if necessary to ensure compliance.' Ohio University's Black Alumni Reunion has been going on for more than 40 years. 'While this is difficult news to share, we remain committed to honoring the legacy and accomplishments of Ohio University's Black alumni,' said Terry Frazier and Jillian Causey, co-chairs of the Black Alumni Reunion Alumni Planning Committee. 'We will continue working with the University to develop a plan that aligns with evolving federal and state guidelines while preserving the significance of this gathering.' Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said she was disappointed the reunion had to be canceled. 'In light of changes to federal and state guidance, we will need to think differently about some of the ways that we live out our mission and vision,' she said in a statement. The Ohio University Celebrate Women Event has been going on for nearly two decades and is designed to 'promote and advance gender equity by recognizing the past, present, and future achievements of women from diverse ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds,' according to the event page. 'We are disappointed that we need to put this longstanding event on hold, and we will continue to be committed to providing a space for accomplished women leaders to connect with and inspire our students, staff and alumni,' said Ohio University Executive Vice President and Provost Don Leo. 'We deeply appreciate the sponsors involved who have helped make this event possible, and we look forward to partnering on future events.' Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No comment: Ohio's public universities quietly brace for DEI changes
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Legislators are cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education, and Ohio's public universities are working to get organized. President Donald Trump has issued a slew of executive orders threatening funding for universities, and on Tuesday, the Department of Education sent a letter from the Office of Civil Rights requiring all educational institutions to abolish all race-conscious programming within two weeks or lose their federal funding. Ohio's public colleges are also facing pressure to change from Senate Bill 1, a substantial bill that passed the Ohio Senate on Feb. 12 and now heads to the House. See previous coverage of S.B. 1 in the video player above. Ohio Senate's actions called 'undemocratic' after passing higher ed bill Ohio universities have been relatively quiet as they sort through new and quickly changing requirements regarding DEI. NBC4 reached out to many public universities in Ohio, many of whom did not respond or said they could not comment. One representative said they were unable to comment and would guess the university would not speak out until legislation became clearer. S.B. 1 passed in the Senate despite overwhelming public opposition but has yet to be scheduled for hearings in the House, where it heads next. Ohio State chief spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said the university is in close contact with its federal partners to ensure the university is in compliance with federal mandates, particularly regarding research. Johnson said OSU created a webpage to help centralize information and resources pertaining to research so faculty and staff can keep working. 'We are reviewing the relevant executive orders,' Johnson said. 'As always, we will follow the law and work to ensure our students, faculty and staff have the resources needed to succeed.' Statehouse exhibit honors Ohio native Toni Morrison, serves as censorship reminder University of Cincinnati students received an email from the university president recently titled 'RE: Recent Policy Announcements' reaffirming the university's values and commitment to a welcoming environment. Ohio University has made similar comments, but neither university has taken a hard stance on the legislation. Some universities are already making changes. The University of Akron recently decided against funding its annual 'Rethinking Race' series this year and said it was because of federal guidance on DEI. As for S.B. 1, Johnson said OSU has not taken a stance on the matter. Ohio University released an explanatory message on S.B. 1 but did not state an opinion, just that it would provide updates and were watching it closely. Other institutions do not appear to have released statements. OSU professor and president of its branch of the faculty advocacy group American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Pranav Jani said when a similar bill, S.B. 83, made waves in the last General Assembly, the Board of Trustees came out against it. Jani said he was disappointed this had not happened for S.B. 1. Ohio lawmaker pressing hardline immigration bills 'I'm sure the Board of Trustees is also committed to the program, but it would have been a great support for those of us doing the work on the ground. At the end of the day, without faculty and students, there's no such thing as a university,' Jani said. 'I personally am bearing the brunt of some of the heat from the politicians, and it would have been nice for a huge and powerful institution like the Ohio State University to say our faculty are doing their jobs.' 'The university has not taken a position on Senate Bill 1. We will continue to work with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to advance Ohio State and ensure our students, faculty and staff have the resources and support needed to succeed,' Johnson said. 'Ohio State has an unwavering commitment to free speech and supports the right of our students, faculty and staff to speak out about issues that are important to them.' When asked about previously coming out against S.B. 83, Johnson said the university often chooses not to comment on legislation, and that any comments occur on a bill-by-bill basis. 'It makes me feel completely unprotected,' Jani said. 'As president of AAUP at Ohio State, it confirms what we felt at S.B. 83: that no one's going to save us but ourselves.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
