Amid campus protests and growing distrust among conservatives in higher education, Ohio lawmakers are pushing for changes at the state’s universities.
A controversial higher education reform, called Senate Bill 83, stalled in the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday despite a marathon day of legislation. The bill would ban mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion programs, prohibit universities from taking positions on “controversial beliefs or policies” and weaken tenure when eliminating degrees or programs.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Jerry CirinoKirtland, R, told reporters he is not giving up. Cirino is counting on a leadership change in the Ohio House, where Speaker Jason Stephens has said there are not enough votes to pass the bill. Senate President Matt Huffman, who will vie for the gavel next year, supports Cirino’s changes.
Cirino said he is tired of waiting for Stephens to send the bill to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. “At some point you stop negotiating with yourself when the other party won’t even tell you what they want,” Cirino said.
Stephens, on the other hand, said he is always open to negotiations. “We’ve been talking about that subject for a long time,” he said. “I’ve been very direct about where I thought our caucus or the House was on that bill.”
Ohio lawmakers pass CAMPUS Act to address anti-Semitism and racial harassment
Meanwhile, Ohio lawmakers have passed a bipartisan bill to address rising anti-Semitism, hate and harassment on college campuses across the country.
“No one should have to be afraid to walk on campus wearing a yarmulke or a Star of David,” said Rep. Justin Pizzulli, Republican of Franklin Furnace, after describing incidents in which students’ homes were vandalized or spit on because of their Jewish faith.
Amendments added to Senate Bill 94 would require public and private universities to create and enforce policies regarding racial, religious and ethnic harassment and bullying. They would also be required to report all harassment and bullying to the state annually.
“We want to make sure that we create an Ohio where every student, no matter who they are, who they worship to, what ethnicity or religious background they are, has the best opportunity to learn, live and be on campus,” said Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus.
The bill also includes $1 million to improve campus security, $1 million for student organizations that bring together people of different faiths, races or ethnicities and $2 million to protect student groups at risk of hate crimes or harassment.
Speaker Stephens called it “a very important bill” to ensure that campuses are places where students can freely express their opinions. Cirino made it clear that this bill is not a substitute for his larger overhaul. The fight would continue.
Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this article.
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations in Ohio.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Lawmakers Pass Campus Bias Bill, Block Higher Education Changes in SB 83
