Ohio SB1 FAQs

Bowling Green State University would face the withholding/loss of critical state funding. This financial burden would impact student financial support and all operations. To ensure Bowling Green remains in compliance with the law and meets the rigorous level of reporting that is now required, the University has created an Office of State and Federal Compliance.

Bowling Green State University has been actively involved in advocating for public higher education, BGSU and its students in both Columbus and Washington, D.C. for years. This includes working with the state’s elected representatives during Senate Bill 83, and later Senate Bill 1.

University leaders immediately sought guidance from the Ohio Department of Higher Education following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signing Senate Bill 1 into law on March 28, 2025. Guidance, including a website developed by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, was provided in May 2025. In the subsequent weeks, Bowling Green State University identified pathways for existing staff to continue to support students through the expansion of the Division of Community and Well-being, and new and expanded programs in the Division of Student Engagement and Success and the Office of the Provost.

We anticipate the interpretation of this state law will continue to evolve in the coming weeks and months, as provisions continue to take effect over the next several months and years. 

Senate Bill 1 outlines a series of deliverables and dates that Ohio’s public universities must meet in order to meet the requirements of the law. Learn more about the key dates and deliverables, as provided by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.  

Based on our understanding of SB1, yes, the University’s existing programming that has been open to all will continue. Examples include the Black Issues Conference, a free event open to the entire community which celebrates Black History Month, a federally recognized month; Latino/a/x Issues Conference, a free and open event for the community; senior celebrations at the end of the academic year; healthy relationship and violence prevention, and more.

Based on our understanding, Senate Bill 1 applies to scholarships provided by each public instutition and prohibits BGSU from, “the establishment of any new institutional scholarships that use diversity, equity, and inclusion in any manner." SB1 does not reference federal or state-provided scholarships and financial aid. 

For exisiting scholarships that a student is receiving from BGSU, SB1 provides "a state institution shall, to the extent possible, eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements. If the state institution is unable to do so because of donor requirements, the institution may continue to offer those institutional scholarships. However, the state institution shall not accept any additional funds for the operation of institutional scholarships that have diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements.”

Bowling Green State University continues to actively monitor all federal and state guidelines regarding scholarship and financial aid and will provide information as it becomes available. If you have questions about your financial aid or scholarships, please contact BGSU Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 419-372-2651.

SB1 requires instructors (including faculty as well as staff and graduate students serving in instructional roles) to support intellectual diversity in class and to allow students to reach their own conclusions on “controversial beliefs and policies” without “indoctrinat[ing] any social, political or religious point of view.” SB1 defines “intellectual diversity” as “multiple, divergent, and varied perspectives on an extensive range of public policy issues.” Likewise, SB1 defines “controversial belief or policy” as “any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy, including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion.”

While SB1 does not limit the content that instructors may address in an academic course, instructors must ensure that students are permitted and encouraged to express a range of perspectives in discussions and to form their own conclusions about controversial issues as part of the course and its learning outcomes. This requirement aligns with the BGSU mission of ensuring that every student, no matter their background or perspective, is welcomed and can be successful by being curious, reframing challenges, emphasizing collaboration, taking action and embracing a growth mindset.

So long as concepts and materials are relevant to the coursework and its learning outcomes (consistent with the academic responsibilities set forth in the BGSU Academic Charter, BGSU Faculty Association Collective Bargaining Agreement and any applicable accreditation standards or professional licensure standards), instructors may still teach concepts and materials that may be considered controversial or divisive. Further, while SB 1 prohibits orientation and training courses concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), subject to certain exceptions, these limitations do not apply to courses offered by academic units toward the completion of a degree or for-credit certificate programs.

In addition to the classroom discussion and learning outcome requirements outlined above, SB1 requires BGSU to demonstrate intellectual diversity in course approval (both generally and relative to general education requirements), common reading programs, departmental strategic goals, student evaluations and annual reviews. While the general guidance outlined above applies to these areas as well, the Office of the Provost will engage directly with units and including Faculty Senate and the BGSU Faculty Association, regarding more specialized issues that may apply in these contexts as appropriate. SB 1 will further require changes to the faculty annual review and evaluation processes and separate guidance will be provided on those issues.

No. While instructors (including faculty as well as staff and graduate students serving in instructional roles) must support intellectual diversity in their courses, they retain the right to assess student performance according to curricular goals and to address relevant learning objectives. Further, while instructors must not prohibit students from expressing their own perspectives in discussions or reaching their own conclusions on controversial beliefs and issues, students are ultimately responsible for mastering the material for courses in which they have enrolled.

Instructors have the right and responsibility to ensure that course time is used effectively to achieve the course goals, and as such can determine when and how to advance through the topics and materials detailed in the syllabus. SB1 also provides that instructors have the right to exercise professional judgment about how best to accomplish intellectual diversity within their discipline as long as they do not exercise that judgment so as to “constrict intellectual diversity.” Further, SB1 does not limit instructors’ abilities to address classroom conflict and disruptive incidents in accordance with the BGSU Freedom of Expression policy, Ohio Public Policy in Principles of Free Speech policy, Advance Ohio Higher Education policy and expressive activity guidelines.

For additional support regarding compliance with SB 1’s intellectual diversity requirements in the classroom, instructors are encouraged to contact the Office of the Provost and/or the BGSU Center for Faculty Excellence.

Graduate students are strongly encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor and/or course director with specific questions about their courses and can also contact the Graduate College for additional support.

For specific questions concerning SB 1, beyond the information on that site, please contact compliance@bgsu.edu.

Additionally, faculty and students may raise a specific complaint of interference with free expression rights or intellectual diversity rights under SB1 through See it. Hear it. Report it. The process for addressing such complaints is outlined in the Ohio Public Policy in Principles of Free Speech policy (which outlines protections under O.R.C. 3345.0215) and the Advance Ohio Higher Education policy (which outlines protections under O.R.C. 3345.0217). Faculty may also raise academic freedom complaints with the BGSU Faculty Senate's Committee on Academic Affairs.

Faculty, staff and students should report concerns related to protected class discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct through See it. Hear it. Report it. the University’s concern-reporting system. Such a report will be received and reviewed by the Office of State and Federal Compliance and Non-Discrimination. Please note, individuals must report matters for which they have a duty to report. 

The University is committed to shared governance and continues to work closely with Faculty Senate and the BGSU Faculty Association regarding SB1, and as outlined in the current collective bargaining agreement and the Academic Charter.

Yes, based on our understanding of SB1, all registered student organizations that meet the University’s previously existing guidelines can continue to operate. SB 1 R.C. 3345.0217 states that nothing in this section prohibits state institutions from permitting student organizations. However, other sections of SB 1 provide the following, “with respect to every position, policy, program, and activity, each state institution of higher education shall do both of the following: Treat all faculty, staff, and students as individuals, hold every individual to equal standards, and provide those individuals with equality of opportunity, with regard to those individuals' race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.”

As such, so long as the student organization meets these guidelines and abides by relevant laws, it can continue to operate.

Student organizations may include neutral selection criteria in their membership process that are relevant to the goals and objectives of the organization. However, according to BGSU Recognized Student Organizations Policy 3341-2-36, membership in registered student organizations shall be open to all students of BGSU without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, pregnancy, religion, age, marital status, disability, status as a veteran, or any other class protected by Ohio or federal anti-discrimination law.

The RSO Policy recognizes two exceptions for these membership requirements which are: “First, Title IX does not apply to the membership practices of social fraternity and sorority organizations. Second, religious qualifications may be required by an organization if its ratified constitution expresses a religious aim or purpose.”

Federal law also recognizes limited exceptions. For example, Title IX allows universities to operate or sponsor separate club sports teams for members of each sex, where selection for such teams is based upon competitive skill or the activity involved is a contact sport.

If your constitution and bylaws already align with BGSU’s Recognized Student Organizations Policy, no changes are necessary. However, organizations are encouraged to review their documents to ensure compliance.

Organizations with membership criteria or governing documents not in compliance with BGSU Policy 3341-2-36 should update their materials during the Fall 2025 semester. The Office of Student Engagement and Residence Life provides support, including Bylaw and constitution review meetings and A Constitution and Membership Requirements QuickStart Guide.

All recognized student organizations are required to have an advisor who is a full-time staff or faculty member at BGSU. Graduate students may not serve as primary advisors to recognized student organizations, except when it is outlined as part of their job duties. If your student organization no longer has a designated advisor, contact the Office of Student Engagement and Residence Life. They offer an advisor matching program. While the matching program does not assign or place an advisor with student organizations, it is a resource to help student organizations find advisors who are willing to work with student organizations.

Based on our understanding of SB1, student organizations may continue hosting programs that are open to all. Examples may include heritage month events and programming (e.g., Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride events, etc.) cultural celebrations (e.g., Holi, Spring Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, etc.). As always, student organizations are encouraged to work with their organization advisor and the Office of Student Engagement and Residence Life when planning and executing events.

In promoting and carrying out an event, student organizations must emphasize that expressed views are solely those of the organization and do not represent the views of the University. You may use the sample language provided to include in promotion materials. The views expressed are those of the hosting student group and not BGSU, whose communication of this event does not imply endorsement or approval of its content.

Student organizations agree to a set of terms and conditions when they register as recognized student organizations. When the president of the student organization acknowledges these terms and conditions, they are indicating that the organization will follow policy and comply with local, state, and federal laws. No additional documentation is required unless requested by the university.

Based on our understanding of SB1, the University’s existing programming that has been open to all and complies with university policy and state and federal law will continue. Examples include the Black Issues Conference, a free event open to the entire community which celebrates Black History Month, a federally recognized month; Latino/a/x Issues Conference, a free and open event for the community; senior celebrations at the end of the academic year; healthy relationship and violence prevention, and more.

Bowling Green State University faculty and staff welcome the opportunity to partner with registered student organizations. Please reach out to the Office of Student Engagement and Residence Life to learn more about collaboration opportunities.