Buckeye Reporter

The Buckeye Institute recently presented testimony to the Ohio Senate Higher Education Committee regarding policies in Ohio Senate Bill 1. Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, addressed the committee, highlighting that the proposed bill could enhance higher education in Ohio by increasing accountability.

Lawson emphasized that America's higher education system "has long been the envy of the world," and suggested that Senate Bill 1 could help resolve systemic and cultural issues in Ohio's public universities. He praised the bill's support for the First Amendment and its reform of faculty tenure policies, urging lawmakers to adopt further measures to modernize Ohio’s higher education system.

Among Lawson's recommendations were ensuring accrediting entities do not require diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as part of accreditation for state-funded universities. He also advocated for capping administrative expenses that inflate college costs and focusing spending on equipping students for modern workplace challenges.

Lawson proposed restricting noninstructional university expenses and aligning state funding with better post-graduation outcomes. Additionally, he suggested financially rewarding schools graduating students with favorable debt-to-earnings ratios and workforce credentials.

He concluded by recommending lawmakers "take a page from the school choice playbook" by providing vouchers directly to students rather than subsidizing colleges. This approach would leverage "the transformative strength of a free market" to empower students and incentivize universities.

In his prepared remarks, Lawson stated: "American higher education has long been the envy of the world... but policy reforms can play a part, and Senate Bill 1 will help." He noted that many systemic or cultural problems will not be resolved overnight but stressed that these reforms are necessary steps forward.

Senate Bill 1 aims to reinforce First Amendment support by amending university mission statements to promote free intellectual inquiry. It seeks to eliminate mandatory training deemed ineffective by academics and improve faculty tenure policies through robust post-tenure reviews.

Other provisions include preventing public university faculty strikes and ensuring transparency in course syllabi at public institutions. These measures are seen as timely steps toward addressing current challenges within Ohio’s higher education system.

Lawson encouraged continued efforts beyond Senate Bill 1 to further reduce costs, align institutional incentives, and prepare students effectively for future demands.