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Cincinnati City Council urges Ohio House to defeat Senate Bill 1, citing limits on campus DEI and academic freedom
Summary
Council approved a resolution opposing Senate Bill 1, saying the measure would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities, restrict curricula and ban faculty strikes; vote was unanimous of those present.
Cincinnati City Council on the floor Wednesday adopted a resolution urging the Ohio House of Representatives to defeat Senate Bill 1, which sponsors say would bar diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at state public universities and place new restrictions on campus instruction and faculty activity.
Vice Mayor Kearney introduced the resolution, calling SB 1 “an education bill, really a miseducation bill,” and said the council asked state lawmakers to reject it. Council member Beth Albee read the resolution’s text aloud on the chamber floor.
The resolution says SB 1 would, if enacted, prohibit orientation or training courses regarding DEI, bar universities from maintaining DEI offices, forbid use of DEI in job descriptions or new scholarships, compel institutions to disavow positions on certain “controversial beliefs,” and allow the General Assembly to withhold or reduce funding from campuses that do not comply. Albee read that the measure also includes bans on faculty striking, shortened trustee terms, and a new civic literacy requirement for students.
Council members who spoke in favor framed the item as a defense of academic freedom and worker rights. Council member Nolan cited the U.S. Department of Education’s position that the department cannot “exercise control over the content of school curricula” and urged protection of universities’ First Amendment functions. Council member Jeffries called SB 1 “highly coercive” and warned it was “anti‑worker” because it bans faculty strikes.
The resolution notes SB 1 passed the Ohio Senate on Feb. 12, 2025 and was introduced in the House on Feb. 18, 2025, and says students and faculty have expressed concern that enactment could prompt students to attend colleges outside Ohio.
Roll call on the council resolution recorded the following votes: Vice Mayor Kearney — Yes; Council member Nolan — Yes; Council member Parks — Yes; Council member Walsh — Yes; Council member Albee — Yes; Council member Grama Dean — Yes; Council member Jeffries — Yes; Council member Johnson — Yes. Council member Owens was excused. The resolution passed.
