Senate Bill 83
How do we teach history at Ohio State? A distinguished professor explains.
I had hoped, as someone who has taught at Ohio State for nearly forty years and bleeds Scarlet and Gray, that we would be spared the attacks on higher education that have broken out across the nation. I had hoped that the accomplishments of our students and alumni, their ability to think critically, independently, and […]
Ohio higher education overhaul would chill speech and academic freedom with threats of discipline
Using remarkably clueless wording as our nation reels from rampant wildfires, including the deadliest one in over a century, state Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, recently crowed about how he started a “firestorm” with his proposed SB 83, the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act. As NOAA elevates its prediction for the number and strength of Atlantic […]
Some college students worry Ohio bill would require slavery to be taught from ‘both sides’
Most students have Juneteenth off from classes in Ohio, but education advocates worry that a bill close to passing the Ohio Legislature would prevent them from learning why. Juneteenth recognizes the fall of slavery in the United States, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas. But Kent State University student Wahinya Njau says that for […]
Ohio college students stage ‘funeral’ in protest against higher education overhaul bill
Dozens of Ohio college students held a mock funeral Wednesday to protest against a bill they say destroys higher education. Students, dressed in their high school graduation robes, chanted and held candles as they rallied against Senate Bill 83 at the Statehouse. The bill focuses on what GOP calls “free speech,” banning public universities in […]
Ohio labor unions fight back against higher education bill banning strikes
Labor unions are fighting back against a controversial higher education bill in the Ohio Senate that would ban public university employees from striking. This isn’t the first fight, either. Nearly 700,000 people in Ohio are part of unions or related associations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. With that, Ohioans are continuing to unionize […]
Higher education must stand up for itself in the face of culture war attacks
In 2023, higher education is a political dartboard and educators are being struck by darts thrown by conservatives and progressives. How those of us in higher education respond will be crucial for the future of our institutions and American democracy. Those throwing darts at educators are combatants in culture wars sparked by the success of […]
Ohio Republican education assaults are a travesty, wrapped in unthinking, immature, petty grievance
Ohio boasts cherished, prestigious academic institutions that we rightly take enormous pride in, but now Ohio Republican lawmakers have their culture war sights set on destroying all of it, out of unthinking, immature, petty personal grievance and power politics. For many years, right-wingers have seethed resentfully at the whole bulk of American academia — many […]
Ohio GOP supports college overhaul bills to create ‘safe space’ for conservatives
Ohio conservatives want “safe spaces” on college campuses, demonstrated by the passing and introduction of controversial legislation meant to overhaul the state’s higher education system. After hours of hearings and hundreds of people giving testimony, Ohio Republican senators passed Senate Bill 83. The bill focuses on what GOP calls “free speech,” banning public universities in Ohio from having […]
Making ethnic studies illegal in Ohio: Even watered down, SB 83 requires teaching racism
In 2006, I was hired by the state of Ohio to teach ethnic studies. Among the core concepts of this field that I was expected to impart to my students were the ideas that apparent human differences are more historical and cultural than natural, that what we call “race” is our own invention, and a […]
New versions of identical higher education bills makes changes and adds clarifications
New versions of the identical, massive higher education bills were adopted last week, but the ban on prohibiting university staff and employees from striking remains. Senate Bill 83 was first introduced in March by state Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, and has since drawn significant backlash from students and university staff. House Bill 151 was introduced […]
Ohio Republican senator agrees to modify controversial higher education bill
After a seven-hour hearing last Wednesday for controversial legislation to overhaul the college education system in Ohio, the bill sponsor agreed to make some changes and clarifications. From 4 p.m. until 11:30 p.m., hundreds of students and educators testified against Senate Bill 83. This massive college overhaul bill focuses on what Republicans call “free speech,” banning […]
More than 100 people spoke out against a massive Ohio higher education bill during marathon meeting
Concerned college students, worried university staff, and outraged advocates packed the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday to speak against a massive higher education bill that would significantly change college campuses. More than 500 people submitted opponent testimony to Senate Bill 83, which would, among other things, require American history courses and tenure evaluations based on if the […]