Ohio law brings major changes to public universities in 2026

Ohio’s public universities are beginning to implement major provisions of a higher education law passed in 2025. Senate Bill 1—known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act—introduces broad changes to campus programs, curriculum requirements, and university governance.

While some provisions took effect in 2025, several operational and academic requirements begin rolling out during 2026, including new rules affecting campus programs, course transparency, and graduation requirements.

Why It Matters

Public universities shape not only academic opportunities but also the campus programs and support services available to students.

Under the new law, several changes could affect the day-to-day experience of students at Ohio’s public institutions:

• Changes to campus programs: Public universities will no longer be permitted to operate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Some initiatives that addressed issues such as gender equity, mentoring, or campus climate may be altered or discontinued.
• Training and campus policies: The law restricts certain types of training or programming related to race, gender, and identity. This could affect the types of discussions or programs offered through student orientation, leadership programs, or campus initiatives.
• Coursework requirements: Universities must establish coursework in American civic literacy, which could become part of graduation requirements for some students.
• Transparency about course content: Institutions must make course syllabi publicly available, giving students and families greater visibility into course expectations and materials before enrollment.

For students considering Ohio’s public universities, these changes may shape the academic and campus environment they experience.

Background

Senate Bill 1 introduces a series of policy and governance changes affecting Ohio’s public colleges and universities.

The law was signed in March 2025 and took effect in stages. While some provisions became effective in June 2025, several academic and administrative requirements are scheduled to take effect during 2026.

Key provisions include:

• Prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and training at public institutions.
• Requiring universities to establish courses in American civic literacy.
• Requiring institutions to make course syllabi publicly accessible.
• Creating new post-tenure review procedures and expanded faculty performance evaluations.
• Establishing new faculty workload expectations.
• Reducing trustee terms from nine years to six years and establishing new training requirements for trustees.
• Restricting certain foreign partnerships, including limitations on accepting gifts from the People’s Republic of China.
• Directing the state to study the feasibility of three-year bachelor’s degree programs.

Supporters say the changes promote transparency and intellectual diversity. Critics argue that some provisions could affect how universities address issues related to campus inclusion and governance.

Note: As universities begin implementing the law, lawmakers are also considering additional legislation related to compliance. A bill introduced in 2026 would allow the state to withhold funding from public colleges and universities that fail to meet certain requirements established under Senate Bill 1.

Resources

Ohio Department of Higher Education - Senate Bill 1 Information
The Ohio State University - Implementation Guide: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Prohibitions
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio University to close Pride Center, Women’s Center, and Multicultural Center due to new law
Statehouse News Bureau - Bill could pull funding from Ohio colleges and universities not in compliance with SB 1