'Serious concerns': University leaders speak out against Senate Bill 83

Ohio universities including those in Greater Cincinnati are concerned about the rising likelihood that Senate Bill 83 − which would restrict mandatory diversity training, ban professor strikes and restrict financial relationships with Chinese institutions, among other regulations − could soon become law.

The Ohio Senate passed the bill 21-10 on Wednesday. It goes to the Ohio House next. Republican lawmakers said the bill would encourage diversity of thought on Ohio campuses, which they say have gone too far to the left and discourage conservative points of view.

"This legislation is an urgently needed course correction for higher education in Ohio," bill sponsor Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, said Wednesday. "We the Legislature now have the opportunity to change the direction of higher ed if we are willing to be courageous. If we do not act now, I fear we will continue down the path of servitude to a woke agenda from which there may be no return." 

Both University of Cincinnati and Miami University's presidents wrote to their students and staffs this week using very similar letter templates.

Here's what they said.

University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto has 'serious concerns' about Senate Bill 83

UC President Neville Pinto sent a message to the university community on Thursday, updating them on the Senate vote. He said the presidents of all 14 public Ohio universities have met with Cirino on multiple occasions "to seek adjustments to the legislation."

Some amendments have been made since the bill's first draft, Pinto wrote. But the version that passed the Senate on Wednesday "continues to raise serious concerns for the future of higher education in our state."

He pointed to a letter he backed alongside other Ohio university presidents and the state's Inter-University Council. It was published the day before the Senate vote and outlined several concerns with the bill including: government overreach, costs of implementation, vagueness and threats to successful diversity, equity and inclusion training programs that set students up to thrive in a modern workforce.

SB 83:Ohio State's Board of Trustees issue a statement opposing Senate Bill 83

"Importantly, the presidents shared serious concerns over the prohibition of diversity, equity and inclusion programming and the potential eroding of shared governance on campuses," Pinto wrote to the UC community.

Pinto encouraged anyone sharing his concerns to contact their local legislator with their personal emails rather than with their university emails.

Miami University President Gregory Crawford encourages students to reach out to lawmakers

Miami President Gregory Crawford sent a letter to his school community later Thursday evening. His message is nearly identical to Pinto's in some paragraphs.

Crawford, like Pinto, leaned heavily on information provided in the Inter-University Council letter that was sent to legislators earlier this week. And he encouraged anyone wishing to share feedback with Ohio legislators to do so through their personal emails.

"As the bill moves to the House, we will continue to advocate for free speech in the classroom, diversity of thought, acceptance for all, and supporting faculty," Crawford wrote.

He also provided a detailed list of potential impacts to Miami faculty and students if the current version of the bill is enacted:

• University mission statements; diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices. 
• Policies related to intellectual diversity and “divisive concepts.” 
• Syllabus requirements.
• Faculty workload requirements. 
• Faculty evaluation and post-tenure review processes. 
• Partnerships with the People's Republic of China; 
• Board of Trustees appointments and training. 
• Endowment agreements.
• Campus speakers. 
• A requirement of an American history/government course or proficiency for all undergraduate students.
• Financial reporting.
• A prohibition on employees of any state institution of higher education to strike.

"We will continue to work with our IUC partners and state legislators to resolve concerns about Senate Bill 83," Crawford wrote. "As this work continues, Miami remains committed to the success and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff, and we will always advocate for, support, and care for our community."

USA TODAY Network Ohio bureau reporter Anna Staver contributed.