Federal and State Guidance Resources

The Advance Ohio Higher Education Act (commonly known as Senate Bill 1, or simply “SB1”) became law on June 27, 2025. It restricts diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the institutional level, prohibits DEI training programs, and requires the University to declare that it will not influence or require students to endorse or express a given ideology or political stance. Further, the law requires a Statement of Commitment to free and open intellectual inquiry, independence of thought, tolerance of differing viewpoints, and equality of opportunity. See R.C. 3345.0216.  Whenever the University’s mission is displayed, this statement must accompany it.  See R.C. 3345.0216.

Through a list of requirements, SB1 mandates that all students, faculty and staff are treated equally without regard to any protected classification (See R.C. 3345.88), and that controversial topics are presented objectively in a way that encourages intellectual diversity of thought (See R.C. 3345.0217).

Yes. At its June 11, 2025, meeting, the UA Board of Trustees passed a number of resolutions to comply with the law. These accelerated compliance changes will be managed by the Office of Academic Affairs or relevant division, in concert with the Office of General Counsel. The resolutions passed include the adoption of a Statement of Commitment, a policy to ensure intellectual diversity and nondiscrimination, and several requirements of faculty workload and evaluation.

While SB1 does not prohibit certain topics from being discussed, it does prevent UA from endorsing or opposing any “controversial belief or policy” and requires faculty and staff to “allow and encourage students to reach their own conclusions about all controversial beliefs” and not seek to promote a one-sided point of view. See R.C. 3345.0217.  According to the law, all topics should encourage intellectual diversity, free expression of unique perspectives and conclusions, and space for divergent viewpoints. Learning environments should be free of consequences or fear of reprisal for the expression of individual beliefs or ideas.

Yes, when facilitated properly. Within the confines of the University’s Statement of Commitment (to open intellectual inquiry, independence of thought, tolerance of differing viewpoints and equality of opportunity), open classroom and online discussion is encouraged. The law does not prohibit “the exercise of professional judgment about whether to endorse the consensus or foundational beliefs of an academic discipline.”  See R.C. 3345.0217

The University will be required to offer a course in the subject area of “American civic literacy.” See R.C. 3345.382.  Starting in spring of 2030, all students graduating with an undergraduate degree (regardless of start date) will be subject to that course credit requirement. As such, civic literacy has been worked into the general education curriculum, with all course sections requiring legislative-identified readings. Students taking certain courses for American civic literacy credit will be required to pass a cumulative final exam.

Additionally, SB1 requires periodic (in three-year-cycles) program viability evaluations of all academic/degree programs. See R.C. 3345.454 (C).  The Office of Academic Affairs will work with colleges and units to ensure alignments between program offerings and required enrollments.

For a comprehensive SB1 implementation timeline, please see the calendar of due dates on The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Senate Bill 1 webpage.

No. The University’s mission remains the same. Our strategic values continue – flourishing people, lifelong learning and social impact. As those goals suggest, we are person-focused, mission-driven and community engaged. The University of Akron’s longstanding student-centered commitment of equality of educational opportunity endures.