Public confidence in our universities is at a low ebb, but the newly introduced Ohio Senate Bill 1 provides a path to restoring trust. Being over 70 pages long, I can only touch on a few positive dimensions here.

Arguably the most pernicious negative collegiate development in modern times in Ohio has been the growth of a massive, expensive diversity, equity, and inclusion bureaucracy.

Decisions relating to hiring, contracting, promotions and work standards should be made on the basic of academic merit that improves learning and discovery as well as intellectual diversity.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leads to harassment

Yet, borrowing from Dr. Martin L. King Jr., DEI administrators seem more concerned with the color of people’s skins than the content of their character.

At my university, I have witnessed Star Chamber-like DEI harassment of faculty reminiscent of Soviet Russia, including damaging a prestigious Distinguished Professor program. Senate Bill 1 ends DEI, what the federal government and two neighboring state governors (Indiana and West Virginia) are already doing.

We should focus on civics

Ohioans are increasingly ignorant of the extraordinary foundations of our republic, its historical evolution and constitutional framework. SB 1 mandates a semester course helping end that deficiency.

Knowledge of our historical origins is the glue binding us together as Ohioans and Americans.

Former students are constantly thanking me for the positive effects of my instructing them in American and even European economic history.

Faculty strikes hurt students

Some public workers such as police and fire personnel perform such vital work that we outlaw their going on strike.

A strong case can be made that principle should be extended to those providing vital human capital to college students who will be tomorrow’s leaders.

Several years ago, a mid-semester faculty strike at Wright State hurt thousands of students who had paid tuition, causing permanent harm to that school.

Colleges and universities shouldn’t take sides

Universities should be marketplaces of ideas—promoting all kinds of non-violent thoughts. Ideas are created and flourish from free-wheeling but civil debate.

Schools, however, merely should provide a lively forum for discussion, not advocating positions themselves. They should stay out of politics, commenting only on policy matters directly impacting the operations of the university itself.

SB 1 has many other commendable provisions, for example creating some post-tenure faculty review standards, and the public dissemination of syllabuses (subject outlines) of courses. Much-needed training of university trustees is required, enhancing their constructive role efficient and university operations.

Already approved other legislation is providing for new research centers at five universities designed to enhance viewpoint diversity. Ohio need not be an excessively sleepy non-innovative state but rather can be a force in promoting needed revitalization of our great system of public higher education.