Join the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) to urge your State Representative to oppose Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which poses a direct threat to academic freedom, faculty rights, student activism, and the independence of Ohio’s higher education system.
This legislation is vague, overbroad, and ripe for misuse. It would give state schools broad discretion to suppress speech the state disfavors while permitting other viewpoints, effectively creating a double standard. If enacted, SB 1 would allow universities to crack down on speech critical of state policies—such as pro-Palestinian advocacy—while allowing other viewpoints to flourish unchecked.
SB 1 also undermines free expression and faculty protections by enforcing political interference, restricting open dialogue, and creating a chilling effect on academic discourse. If enacted, SB 1 will result in severe and lasting damage, including:
Government-Imposed Restrictions on Free Speech – By forcing universities to remain “neutral” on pressing social and political issues, SB 1 censors debate and stifles critical thinking. Learning institutions should be spaces of open inquiry, not state-controlled silos of silence.
Stripping Faculty Rights and Job Protections – The bill bans faculty strikes and implements excessive post-tenure reviews, undermining academic independence and faculty advocacy. Educators should not fear retribution for engaging in discourse that challenges political ideologies.
Politicized, State-Controlled Curriculum – By mandating a state-approved civics course, SB 1 paves the way for government intervention in education, historical revisionism, and ideological control over course content. Higher education must foster independent thought, not state-driven narratives.
Silencing Student Advocacy – The ability to protest and organize is fundamental to democracy. SB 1 discourages student activism, making it harder for students to voice concerns on issues affecting their lives and education.
