Ohio Senate Passes Controversial Bill on DEI Programs

The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Bill 1, which aims to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at public colleges and universities, as well as strip certain protections from faculty, such as the right to strike. Despite protests from students and faculty, the bill was approved in a 21-11 vote and will now move to the Ohio House for consideration. Proponents, like GOP Sen. Jerry Cirino, argue the bill will promote 'intellectual diversity' and curb liberal ideologies in higher education. Critics, including several Democratic senators, argue the bill could harm historically underrepresented groups and limit academic freedom. The bill also mandates civics courses, public posting of course syllabi, and bans on donations from China. A similar legislative effort in Kansas, House Bill 2348, has sparked controversy over tenure and university funding, with accusations of political pressure being applied to suppress opposition.