Your Voice Series: Students Weigh in on Effort to Repeal Senate Bill 1

Senate Bill 1, which was passed by Gov. Mike DeWine on March 28 and takes effect on June 23, has been a hot topic. The new law bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, among other things, at public colleges and universities in Ohio.

“DEI has become a system that sorts us, it sorts us by race, by gender and by identity, creating a culture where we are defined by our categories instead of our character,” State Senator Michele Reynolds, R-District 3, said in a speech given on March 26. 

According to the Ohio Senate website, SB1 ensures an environment for intellectual diversity, ends discriminatory DEI litmus testing for faculty hiring and puts students and their hard-earned tuition first by protecting them from the risk of a faculty strike. 

However, many Ohio faculty and students opposed the bill during legislative testimony and in demonstrations around the Ohio Statehouse, raising concerns about workers’ rights and opportunities for marginalized groups to access support through DEI programs.

To further demonstrate this, professors from Youngstown State University submitted a petition with about 4,500 signatures in an effort to get a referendum on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot, giving Ohio voters the chance to repeal the law.

The Clarion staff asked students for their opinion on the repeal effort and whether they believe the petition could make a difference.

Morgan Nash – Major: Liberal Arts

“I think a lot of people would deserve voting on that…I think the SB1 should exist when hiring people. I feel that it’s important because there is prejudice with people being hired. I mean it can even be things like age and whether or not you’re a woman – I don’t think that should be a thing. I don’t think that type of discrimination should be allowed,” Nash said. 

Tobias Ashlock – Major: Liberal Arts

“If we can do something like that, it kind of proves to me that voices matter,” Ashlock said. “As somebody who uses DEI initiatives, I’m hoping that if everything goes well, we will be able to, even if it’s just here on campus, preserve that because it’s such an integral part of society.

“DEI is not just a ‘hey, you wanna go to college – we’ll get you to college’ kind of thing. The people who get the opportunities are really smart individuals.”

Thomas Peoples – Major: Computer Science

“I feel like there’s pros and cons when it comes down to it,” Peoples said. “But I don’t think DEI initiatives should be taken down because if clubs and stuff like that can help out, I think we should keep something like that. It can make college feel better for a lot of people.

“I would vote for DEI to still be in existence because it’s a good way for people to socialize with people that are just like them. I feel like socialization on campus is the only way we could help each other out and hold each other down.” 

Koena Lizza, Staff Writer

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