Ohio's controversial higher ed overhaul now in effect
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Ohio's controversial new law banning diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education takes effect today, with a grassroots effort to repeal it failing to collect enough signatures to trigger a pause and statewide vote.
Why it matters: Senate Bill 1 is a sweeping overhaul that also outlaws faculty strikes and dictates other ways that public colleges and universities operate.
- Some, including Ohio State, have already made changes to get in compliance amid the opposition campaign. Schools that don't comply now risk losing state funds.
The latest: Campaign leaders had planned to turn in petitions to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office Thursday. But they canceled the appointment after coming in around 50,000 signatures short by Thursday's deadline, according to news reports.
- The law would have been put on hold if the state needed to count signatures — and potentially until the Nov. 4 election, had the group collected enough.
Catch up quick: We recapped everything the law bans and requires after Gov. Mike DeWine signed it in March.
- Schools cannot endorse or oppose "any controversial beliefs or policies ... including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion," it reads.
The intrigue: The bill does not define DEI, but prohibits DEI scholarships and training.
Zoom in: Ohio State will "remove official options to denote pronouns, alter professional participation guidelines and discontinue or modify programs to support any identity-based group," per WCMH-TV.
- The university already shut down its offices focused on diversity, equity and inclusion — as have several universities statewide.
What we're watching: The professors leading the opposition effort told the Dispatch they're going to "continue to fight" and are planning next steps.