Have Ohio’s Universities Gotten the Message on DEI?

Ohio lawmakers are currently considering legislation to effectively ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in institutions of higher education like medical schools.

The bill, SB 1, predictably drew condemnation from pro-DEI activists, and one might expect the universities themselves to adopt similar positions. 

But according to a recent report by Signal Ohio, the Inter-University Council of Ohio (IUC), a lobbying group representing Ohio’s 14 public universities, elected to remain neutral on the bill.

What’s more, not a single university president has publicly opposed the bill, according to Signal Ohio.

Needless to say, this is an enormous departure from the usual positions taken by universities  – it’s also a remarkable shift from the IUC’s previous position on DEI.

In 2023, the IUC had issued a full-throated defense of DEI in a statement expressing concerns over a previous bill (that never became law) targeting DEI in higher education.

“One of the most potentially important parts of the bill is the prohibition on mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training,” the IUC wrote. “Data shows, DEI efforts help create an academic community that generates a higher enrollment rate, matriculation rate, and eventual success rate. DEI is for students with disabilities, veterans with PTSD, minority students, and students who are New Americans who may need extra help due to language or cultural barriers. DEI helps more students achieve the American Dream of success via a college education.”

Contrast that statement with the IUC’s silence on SB 1, and it’s clear a major internal change has taken place in the minds of universities and their representatives.

Credit where credit is due: the IUC and Ohio’s public universities seem to be reading the writing on the wall. DEI is increasingly unpopular and defending it is no longer politically viable.