Major Deadline Looms for Ohio Colleges Under Senate Bill 1 Reforms
Public colleges and universities across Ohio are facing a Sept. 25 deadline to comply with Senate Bill 1, also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act. The sweeping reform law requires schools to phase out diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and eliminate degree tracks with persistently low graduation rates.
Several institutions have already begun compliance measures. Ohio University suspended admissions to 11 low-enrollment programs in August. Kent State University is expected to release its program list following a Sept. 17 board meeting. Meanwhile, The Ohio State University has yet to announce its decisions but confirmed that deans and academic leaders are reviewing options for restructuring or discontinuing certain degrees.
Ohio State pledged that current students enrolled in any degree program slated for elimination will still be able to graduate. The university also announced it will conduct annual reviews of degree enrollments.
Faculty groups have voiced concerns about the law’s implications. The Ohio State chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) argues that the reforms represent political interference in academic freedom. “Senate Bill 1 is about curtailing academic freedoms both for students and professors,” said Dr. Pranav Jani, associate professor of English and AAUP-Ohio State board member.
Beyond program changes, Senate Bill 1 introduces new graduation requirements. Future Bachelor of Arts students must complete a civic literacy course, including readings from the U.S. Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and works by economist Adam Smith. The law also extends to student life, banning sidewalk chalk for free expression and limiting dormitory decorations to school-themed items only, excluding pop culture or personal displays.
As the Sept. 25 deadline approaches, Ohio’s higher education community — students, faculty, and administrators — is bracing for significant changes that could reshape the academic and cultural landscape of campuses statewide.
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