The future of higher education in Ohio has potentially changed forever. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1 into law Friday, which will affect both students and faculty at public universities and colleges. 

SB1, officially known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, will eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs; regulate classroom discussion; prevent faculty from striking; allow tenured professors to be fired over poor reviews, among other things. 

State senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) sponsored the bill. Lawmakers quickly passed it through the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives.  

Supporters of the bill said it is necessary for individual expression and freedom of speech, while critics have said the bill will have the opposite effect. SB1 has proven to be quite controversial, as over 800 testimonies were submitted opposing the legislation and hundreds of students have protested against the bill across Ohio. 

Earlier this month, Kent State University faculty traveled to protest the bill on the steps of the Statehouse in Columbus. Many students and faculty have also threatened to leave Ohio if the bill becomes law. 

Public universities and colleges will have 90 days to be in alignment with SB1 or risk losing government funds.

John Engoglia is a beat reporter. Contact him at [email protected].