Ohio - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Research and Resources - LibGuides at Women in Engineering ProActive Network

Senate

Senate Bill 83/House Bill 151 (Introduced)
In March 2023, State Sen. Jerry C. Cirino, a Republican, introduced a bill that would ban mandatory diversity training, bar diversity statements from being used in hiring or admissions, and prevent institutions from accepting donations from individuals or institutions based in China. The bill would also require colleges to institute new post-tenure-review policies; use specific, state-mandated language in their mission statements; and post all course syllabi on their websites. The companion House Bill 151 was introduced in April 2023, and a revised version would allow mandatory diversity training in certain cases and would alter wording about banning the use of diversity statements, among other changes.

House

House Bill 33 (All anti-DEI components had been removed from the budget bill once it reached the House, and the budget was signed by the governor in July.)
In June 2023, Rep. Jay Edwards, a Republican, introduced into Ohio's two-year state-budget plan several elements of Senate Bill 83, which would ban mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings, block DEI programs, and prohibit the use of diversity statements in the hiring process. All anti-DEI components had been removed from the budget bill once it reached the House, and the budget was signed by the governor in July.
House Bill 394 (Introduced)
In February 2024, State Rep. Adam Holmes, a Republican, introduced a bill that would block the use of diversity statements in public colleges' hiring, promotion, and admissions processes, and in grading students.

Colleges Affected by DEI Legislation

Ashland University

Details: Ashland University renamed its diversity office as the Office of Community and Belonging.

Kent State University

Details: Kent State University merged its human resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion divisions to create the Division of People, Culture, and Belonging. The new division will include an individual DEI office.

University of Toledo

Details: The University of Toledo closed its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and moved the office’s programs and activities to other departments, including the Multicultural Emerging Scholars Program and the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women, now managed by the student-affairs division, and training and campus resources for faculty and staff members, now managed by the provost’s office.

In the Media

'Intellectual diversity' anti-DEI bill targeted at Ohio universities stalls in House - for now
A controversial conservative-backed bill requiring "intellectual diversity" on certain topics such as electoral politics, marriage and abortion and limiting the use of diversity training at Ohio’s universities did not pass the House before lawmakers went on summer break.
Ohio Senate Bill 83 set to change state universities regarding DEI
Ohio Senate Bill 83, known as the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act, may bring significant changes to universities, specifically regulating the content taught by professors, hindering diversity, equity and inclusion training within universities and restricting partnerships with China.
Ohio GOP lawmaker suggests changes at universities could mean anti-DEI bill isn't needed
The controversial Senate bill banning most diversity training at universities and requiring so-called intellectual diversity on electoral politics, marriage and other topics didn’t get a vote in the Ohio House this week. Its sponsor says it’s not dead. But a prominent Republican lawmaker says he thinks the bill may no longer be needed.

What it means

Under Ohio Senate Bill 83, private institutions would only receive funding from the chancellor of higher education if they comply with a list of commitments, including intellectual diversity, freedom of speech, and syllabus compliance.

Colleges in the state could not require DEI courses or training for students, faculty, and staff. They also would not be permitted to use "political or ideological litmus tests" in hiring or promoting faculty members.

SB 83 now heads to the Ohio House, where hearings are underway on a companion piece of legislation. But as support grows among Republican politicians, opposition to the legislation continues to grow in Ohio's institutions of higher education.

On June 15, 2023, Rep. Edwards, introduced into Ohio's two-year state budget plan several elements of Senate Bill 83.

Ohio State's Board of Trustees issued a rare public statement Tuesday, saying SB 83 raised "important questions about 21st-century education," but the legislation as it's currently written could "undermine the shared governance model of universities, risk weakened academic rigor, or impose extensive and expensive new reporting mandates."

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Research and Resources: Ohio