Lake County Times

State Senator Jerry C. Cirino has introduced Senate Bill 1, the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, aiming to reform higher education in Ohio. The bill is designed to ensure academic excellence at public colleges and universities by addressing changing student demographics, workforce demands, and rising costs.

Senator Cirino spent over three years consulting with academic leaders and experts while drafting the bill. He also visited campuses to discuss the need for reforms with students, faculty, administrators, and trustees.

A key aspect of Senate Bill 1 is guaranteeing First Amendment rights by ensuring free expression on campus for both students and professors. "No student should ever be ostracized, cancelled, or have to worry about a failing grade for merely daring to have a difference of opinion with classmates or a professor," said Cirino. He emphasized the importance of learning how to think critically and listen to opposing views respectfully.

The bill incorporates content from Senate Bill 83, which passed the Senate in 2023 but was not voted on in the House. It adds new features promoting intellectual diversity without limiting speech or academic freedom. "Critics who claim the bill promotes censorship have it exactly backwards," stated Cirino.

Senate Bill 1 bans Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) courses and related initiatives. "We want every student in Ohio, regardless of race, gender, or religion to be able to pursue their choice of post-secondary education," noted Cirino. He argued that DEI programs are discriminatory and should not be taxpayer-funded.

The legislation also protects students from interruptions due to faculty labor issues by reinforcing their right to uninterrupted instruction. It includes provisions such as banning political litmus tests in hiring decisions and requiring full syllabus transparency.

Rep. Tom Young supports Senate Bill 1 and plans to introduce a companion bill in the House soon. “This is transformational legislation that is greatly needed,” said Young. He sees it as an opportunity for Ohio's institutions to thrive amid national enrollment declines.

Senator Cirino and Rep. Young believe these measures will correct course for higher education institutions by focusing on teaching analytical skills rather than social engineering.

“Our Founders treasured diversity of thought so highly they made free speech our very first guaranteed right,” concluded Senator Cirino. “It’s time to bring that right back to campus.”