Sponsor defends SB 1 as ‘‘more speech, not less’’ as committee presses on scholarships, governance and labor limits

Senator Jerry Serino, sponsor of Senate Bill 1 — the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act — told the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee the legislation is meant "to put our very best foot forward" for Ohio’s public universities and community colleges and "is about more speech, not less." The sponsor framed the package as a response to demographic changes, rising institutional costs and workforce-alignment needs, and said it would give presidents and boards greater authority to make program and staffing decisions.

The bill would, among other changes, restrict some university practices tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); require demographic and outcome reporting; create a three-credit civics requirement for most bachelor’s degrees (with waivers for equivalent coursework); add higher education faculty to a limited list of workers not allowed to strike; and tighten governance around program and tenure reviews so presidents and boards can act more quickly, Serino said. He described the measure as restoring "academic freedom" and ensuring institutional neutrality while encouraging "diversity of thought."…