State Rep. Adam Mathews | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Rep. Adam Mathews | The Ohio House of Representatives
Representative Adam Mathews of Lebanon has expressed his support for Senate Bill 1, a legislative proposal aimed at reforming higher education in Ohio. The bill, which promotes a "Students First" agenda, seeks to align university programs with the state's workforce needs and eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The proposed legislation introduces several changes to Ohio's higher education system. It includes removing DEI programs and ensuring freedom of speech and equality on campuses. Additionally, it aims to prevent faculty strikes that could disrupt students' education progress. Institutions will also be required to evaluate tenured faculty who do not meet performance expectations.
Mathews emphasized the importance of the bill during his speech on the House floor: “Senate Bill 1 supports civic education, reaffirms our commitment to providing knowledge and intellectual diversity, and rips out taxpayer funded DEI.”
Further provisions include ensuring educational programs remain relevant to workforce demands by discontinuing those with low graduation rates. The bill also prioritizes civics and capitalism education while enforcing restrictions against foreign influence from entities like the People's Republic of China.
Having passed through its current stage, Senate Bill 1 now awaits a concurrence vote in the Ohio Senate.
Alerts Sign-up