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The following message was shared with the University community on Monday, April 7. 

To our 51���� community, 

I want to thank you for submitting thoughtful and relevant questions as they relate to the newly signed Advance Ohio Higher Education Act. We received dozens of questions, not just from faculty and staff, but also from our 51���� students, many of whom expressed concerns about how this new law might impact their educational experience.

A few key themes arose from the questions submitted, and we have used those themes to inform a series of questions and answers now published on our University website. We also received some questions that were not directly tied to the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act but referenced other recent state legislative action or federal directives or guidance. To that end, we have included a number of state and federal topics on our web page as well.

Importantly, I want to assure our students that while we are considering operational changes in response to this law, we don’t anticipate an impact to course offerings. Your questions outlined concern that 51���� would stop teaching “controversial issues” or alter the content of courses as a result of this law. That is not the case. The Provost and I remain committed to Academic Freedom and will support your faculty as they provide instruction on a wide variety of topics, including topics that may be controversial in nature as defined by this law.

The new law does prohibit the University “as an institution” from endorsing or opposing “any controversial belief or policy, except on matters that directly impact the institution's funding or mission.” Prior to the passing of this law, it was already the policy of 51���� to refrain from commenting as an institution on matters that do not directly impact our University. However, a faculty member as part of the instruction of a course can and should share their professional perspective on a topic within their academic discipline.

Additionally, the law requires the University to “allow and encourage students to reach their own conclusions about all controversial beliefs or policies.” We have always encouraged students to think critically and to develop their own ideas at OHIO, while demonstrating respect for the ideas of others and appreciating diverse perspectives. All of this is in line with the law’s requirement to “ensure the fullest degree of intellectual diversity.”

I want to reassure students that changes such as the new requirement to sunset low-conferral degree programs and require a new American civics course will not affect the degree plans of most current students. The civics course requirement applies only to students graduating in Spring 2030 or later. And, any time a degree program is sunset, the University is committed to helping current students complete their program if they choose to do so.

To our faculty: I have asked the Provost to lead the implementation of academic changes required by this bill, and he will be communicating more with you in the coming days as plans are developed and work groups are formed.

To our staff working in diversity and inclusion related roles: University leadership is working to fully understand both the letter and intent of the law as it relates to the section on diversity, equity and inclusion offices and staff. We are also communicating with other Universities across the state to ensure our understanding aligns with that of other institutions. We know changes will likely need to be made, and we want to ensure those changes reflect an accurate interpretation of the law. As we know more, we will communicate with you and with our entire University community.

Thank you again for your thoughtful questions and your ongoing commitment to OHIO, to the pursuit of teaching and learning, to diversity of ideas, and to each other. And, thank you for your patience as we work carefully forward, doing our best to ensure that OHIO is always, and forever, for everyone.

With appreciation,

Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez 
President