DEAR EDITOR:

There is currently a Bill in the Ohio House of Representatives that changes the way universities will operate going forward. Mahoning County’s own representative, Al Cutrona, is one of the co-sponsors. Michael Rulli was among those who tried to pass this Bill last year. Then it was known as SB 83. If you are not familiar with SB 1, please take a few minutes to read about it. The bill would hurt veterans, women and other groups attending college. It’s anti-worker and it takes power away from our schools and gives that power to the government.

This bill would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion in our universities (DEI). There is no definition of what DEI is in the bill. Which some educators feel is very misleading. However, failure to comply could reduce or eliminate state funding.

Currently, universities offer scholarships that exist to benefit veterans, physically disabled students and victims of human trafficking, among others. But not after passage of SB1. It would also limit some student-led organizations. Organizations serving women, African Americans and other communities could be eliminated.

The bill is anti-worker and hurts our educators. A portion of the bill stops university employees from striking. Instead, faculty would have to submit unresolved issues to what the bill describes as “final offer settlement procedures”.

And, as I mentioned, the bill takes power away from the schools and gives that power to the government. It creates state oversight on what a university can teach, how they teach it and who teaches it. Debbie Woodford of Progress Mahoning Valley believes this bill would have a chilling effect on higher education. It stops universities from taking positions on issues affecting Ohioans, like controversial beliefs or policies; such as climate change, health care, access to abortion, electoral politics, foreign policy and immigration. This closes the door on debate and discussion in the classroom and limits students’ abilities to learn about the differences in the world. Many see it as an attack on First Amendment rights.

Over 800 letters were written by people and organizations opposing this bill. Few were in favor of the bill, and some of those individuals and organizations were mostly affiliated with Project 2025.

Keep the state out of how our universities operate. Let our educators do their job and provide our young people with a quality education.

Read up on SB 1 and then call your elected state officials telling them to vote NO on SB 1.

CONNIE BOBBY

Boardman