Craig Condemns Passage of Senate Bill 1

Today, state Senator Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to pass the highly controversial Senate Bill 1:
 
"Higher education exists to create, circulate, and preserve knowledge, and Senate Bill 1 raises deeply troubling issues regarding the fundamental principles of academic freedom and the ability of higher education institutions to take positions on the vital questions we face as a society,” said Craig. “Ohioans have clearly shown that they do not want this bill, and I am truly concerned for the future of not only Ohio's students and faculty but also for the future of our state. Diversity in education must continue to be a core value to economic development and to the vitality of our nation.”
 
Senate Bill 1 contains several provisions that would drastically change Ohio’s higher education landscape, including prohibiting university faculty members from striking; banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; and forbidding institutions of higher education from taking positions on “controversial beliefs or policies.”
 
According to U.S. News, Ohio has nine schools in the top 200 public institutions in the United States, the fourth most in the country. Critics argue the passage of S.B. 1 would jeopardize the quality of Ohio’s higher education by driving away students, faculty, and critical business partnerships.
 
Senate Bill 1 now goes to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.