PortalUnderstanding SB 1
Ohio Senate Bill 1: Advance Ohio Higher Education Act
Senate Bill 1, also known as the "Advance Ohio Higher Education Act," strengthens transparency and accountability in Ohio's higher education system. The legislation addresses campus free speech protections, requires universities to publish expected costs and outcomes for degree programs, mandates regular efficiency audits, and implements stronger oversight of administrative spending. The bill aims to ensure Ohio's colleges and universities provide high-quality, affordable education while preparing students for successful careers in a changing economy.
Resources
(1) Youngstown State University declares that it will educate students by means of free, open, and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth.
(2) Youngstown State University declares that its duty is to equip students with the opportunity to develop the intellectual skills they need to reach their own, informed conclusions.
(3) Youngstown State University declares its commitment to not requiring, favoring, disfavoring, or prohibiting speech or lawful assembly.
(4) Youngstown State University declares it is committed to create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth, and tolerates the differences in opinion that naturally occur in a public higher education community.
(5) Youngstown State University declares that its duty is to treat all faculty, staff, and students as individuals, to hold them to equal standards, and to provide them equality of opportunity, with regard to those individuals' race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression
Ohio Department of Higher Education Guidance
Full text of the SB 1 Legislation
Policies and Guidance
Understanding Senate Bill 1
As Ohio implements these important higher education reforms, many students, parents, educators, and institutions have questions about how the changes will affect them. Below, we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Senate Bill 1 to help navigate these new requirements and understand what the legislation will bring to Ohio's higher education landscape.
FAQs about Ohio Senate Bill 1
A: Ohio Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the "Advance Ohio Higher Education Act," aims to reform public higher education in Ohio by addressing issues like prohibiting DEI initiatives, ensuring that controversial topics are presented in a manner that preserves intellectual diversity in the classroom and requiring that all students, faculty and staff are treated equally without regard to protected class.
A: The bill eliminates and prohibits DEI offices, departments, programs, and positions.
A: The bill does not prohibit the discussion of specific topics, but it does require that all controversial topics be presented in a manner that preserves intellectual diversity meaning that multiple, divergent and varied perspectives are presented. It ensures that students and faculty can express their views without fear of reprisal and encourages students to reach their own conclusions on controversial beliefs or policies.
A: Yes. It prohibits DEI-related courses, training, and spending. It also requires institutions to make syllabi publicly available. Beginning in Academic Year 2026-2027, for all students graduating Spring 2030 or later, a course in American Civics Literacy will be required for a bachelor’s degree to be conferred.
A: The bill mandates the elimination of DEI-related orientation and training courses.
A: Yes, Senate Bill 1 has penalties for state-funded universities found to be in non-compliance. Funding may be withheld or reduced if an institution fails to comply.
A: It does not affect YSU’s mission or strategic goals.