Ohio University President Lori Gonzalez sent an email Monday answering questions about the effects of Ohio Senate Bill 1 from university faculty, staff and students.
While the university considers operational changes, they will not affect course offerings Gonzalez wrote in the email.
“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,” Gonzalez wrote in an email.
The civics course required through SB1 will only be required for those graduating in 2030 and beyond, Gonzalez said. The implementation of academic changes will be led by the university Provost Donald Leo and the effect on diversity and inclusion-related roles is still being understood.
“We know changes will likely need to be made, and we want to ensure those changes reflect an accurate interpretation of the law,” Gonzalez wrote in an email. “As we know more, we will communicate with you and with our entire University community.”
Gonzalez said in terms of scholarships relating to DEI, the university has already taken action to align with federal guidance, and OU does not anticipate significant impacts on scholarships as a result of the SB1.
For students in programs such as Templeton Scholars, Appalachian Scholars, Urban Scholars and Margaret Boyd Scholars, their programs will continue at OU as they went through review in 2023 to align with federal law.
OU clarified students in potentially eliminated, or “sunset” programs, will be able to finish their degrees. Course syllabi will be publicly available during the 2026-27 school year, and intellectual diversity criteria in the course approval processes will be a collaborative effort.
In addition, changes will not affect the Office of Accessibility Services, the Veterans and Military Student Services Center or the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.
"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,” Gonzalez wrote in an email. “And, thank you for your patience as we work carefully forward, doing our best to ensure that OHIO is always, and forever, for everyone.”
