Ohio Senate Bill 1

Signed Into Law: March 28, 2025

Signed by: Ohio Governor Mike Dewine

 

Executive Summary:

Ohio Senate Bill 1, also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, amends and enacts numerous sections of the Ohio Revised Code. The law imposes new standards on faculty evaluations, limits the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, expands transparency requirements, and mandates civic education courses. It also imposes cost reporting requirements and new restrictions on partnerships with Chinese institutions. These reforms apply to all public colleges and universities in Ohio.

 

Key Provisions:

 

Definition of Institutions – Section 3345.011

• Defines “state institution of higher education” as including:
• State universities
• Community colleges
• University branches and technical colleges
• This definition ensures consistent application of the law across all public higher education institutions in Ohio.

 

Course Syllabus Transparency – Section 3345.029

• Starting in 2026–2027, institutions must publicly post syllabi for all undergraduate courses.
• Must include instructor name, contact info, professional qualifications, course calendar, and reading list.
• Two compliance methods:
• Instructors post on individual faculty webpages.
• Institutions post on centralized website (max three clicks from home page).
• Community colleges may use a simplified "general syllabus."
• Syllabi must remain accessible for at least two years.
• Exempts courses taught in high schools through the College Credit Plus program.
• Each institution must:
• Assign an administrator to oversee compliance.
• Submit an annual compliance report to the Chancellor.

 

DEI Prohibitions and Institutional Neutrality – Section 3345.0217

• Institutions must eliminate:
• DEI offices and departments
• DEI training (unless required for accreditation, licensure, or law)
• Use of DEI in hiring, admissions, scholarships, or job descriptions
• Prohibits:
• Political or ideological “litmus tests” in employment or academic decisions
• Replacing banned DEI programs with similarly purposed alternatives
• Institutions must:
• Promote intellectual diversity in curriculum, hiring, evaluations, and speaker events
• Post speaker fees above $500 on website
• Declare neutrality on controversial issues, except when mission or funding is involved
• Violations may result in reduced state funding.

 

Intellectual Diversity Complaints – Section 3345.0218

• Institutions must:
• Respond to complaints of interference with intellectual diversity rights
• Inform all students and staff of their rights during orientations or onboarding
• Report any violations and disciplinary actions to the Chancellor.

 

Chancellor's Oversight – Section 3345.0219

• Institutions must comply with:
• Submission formats and procedures established by the Chancellor for all reports required under this act
• Chancellor will publish these reports online for public review.

 

Civic Literacy Requirement – Section 3345.382

• Bachelor’s students graduating in 2029–2030 and after must complete a civic literacy course.
• Course must be at least 3 credit hours and cover:
• U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers (at least 5 essays), Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, Letter from Birmingham Jail, writings of Adam Smith
• Final exam is required to pass the course
• Exemptions may apply if a student has:
• Taken an approved AP or College Credit Plus equivalent
• Completed at least 3 credit hours in U.S. history or government
• Associate degree programs are exempt.

 

Faculty Workload Standards – Section 3345.45

• Institutions must adopt:
• Workload standards measured in credit hours
• Definitions for teaching and non-teaching duties like research, service, and administration
• Disciplinary procedures for failure to comply (e.g., censure or termination)
• Workload policies must be updated every five years and approved by the board of trustees.

 

Student and Peer Faculty Evaluations – Section 3345.451

• Institutions must:
• Use standardized student evaluations that include this required question:
• “Does the faculty member create a classroom atmosphere free of political, racial, gender, and religious bias?”
• Implement peer evaluation systems to support professional development in teaching.

 

Annual Faculty Performance Reviews – Section 3345.452

• Required for all full-time faculty annually.
• Evaluation must cover:
• Teaching, research, service, clinical care, administration, and other duties
• Ratings must be classified as:
• Exceeds expectations
• Meets expectations
• Does not meet expectations
• At least 25% of teaching score must be based on student evaluations
• Must establish a projected work distribution for the upcoming year
• Appeals process required
• Reviews must be approved by department chair, dean, and provost.

 

Post-Tenure Review – Section 3345.453

• Triggers for review:
• Two “does not meet expectations” ratings in same category over three years
• One more such rating in next two years
• Immediate review for documented ongoing underperformance
• Process:
• Must be completed within six months (or eight with extension)
• May result in censure, retraining, or termination
• Appeal process required.

 

Program Elimination for Low Output – Section 3345.454

• Undergraduate degree programs must be eliminated if:
• Fewer than 5 degrees are awarded per year over three years
• Chancellor may grant waivers allowing conditional continuation.

 

Bargaining Limits – Section 3345.455

• Faculty workload, tenure, and evaluation policies:
• Are not subject to collective bargaining for agreements signed after this law takes effect
• Supersede any conflicting union contract terms.

 

Retrenchment Bargaining Restrictions – Section 3345.456

• Institutions only have to bargain retrenchment policies with faculty:
• Who have 30 to 35 years of service in Ohio’s retirement systems
• Faculty may still accept separation incentives.

 

Restrictions on Chinese Partnerships – Section 3345.591

• Institutions may not:
• Accept gifts or donations from entities connected to the People's Republic of China
• Allowed if:
• Payment is from individual Chinese students for tuition or fees
• Structural safeguards are in place, including:
• Export compliance
• Conflict-of-interest training
• Visiting scholar agreements
• Institutions must notify the Chancellor of new partnerships and submit required federal reports
• Auditor of State will review safeguards during normal audits.

 

Institutional Cost Reports – Section 3345.80

• Institutions must submit a five-year cost summary every two years, including:
• Instructional costs
• Staff services (e.g., facilities, food)
• Administrative costs (e.g., counseling, healthcare, DEI)
• Reports must:
• Include headcounts and annual breakdowns
• Detail DEI spending
• Chancellor will:
• Develop standardized report formats
• Present summary report to the General Assembly.

 

Non-Discrimination in Programs – Section 3345.88

• Institutions must:
• Treat all individuals equally in employment, programs, and student activities
• Avoid giving advantage or disadvantage based on race, religion, sex, or identity categories
• This rule applies to all areas, including mission statements, hiring, student life, and housing.

 

Strike Limitations for Faculty – Section 4117.14

• Faculty at public institutions are barred from striking.
• Disputes must go to mediation or binding arbitration (conciliation)
• Strike pay is not allowed
• Affects how collective bargaining is handled under Ohio labor law.

 

Source: https://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/api/v2/general_assembly_136/legislation/sb1/05_EN/pdf/