Division of Community and Well-Being Expansion

Yes, based on our understanding of SB1, all registered student organizations that meet the University’s previously existing guidelines can continue to operate. Senate Bill 1 states that nothing prohibits state institutions from permitting student organizations. However, SB 1 does require that “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.”

BGSU Policy 3341-2-36 Recognized Student Organizations states, “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. Any grievance regarding alleged discrimination should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance as appropriate. There are two exceptions to this requirement. 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.”

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

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.

To ensure Bowling Green State University remains a great value and the University operates with efficiency and effectiveness, BGSU has been conducting its own academic feasibility assessment to identify academic programs and courses with low enrollment over the last several years. As a result of this independent work, outside of new state law, Bowling Green has worked with academic colleges and programs to consolidate or reimagine low-enrolled programs. Because of this work, Bowling Green has not had to eliminate academic programs solely because of Senate Bill 1. This work is ongoing.

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.

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. 

As a learning community, Bowling Green is committed to fostering a learning environment where all thoughts and perspectives are welcome. SB1 does not prohibit “faculty or students from classroom instruction, discussion, or debate, so long as faculty members allow students to express intellectual diversity.” Additionally, SB1 does not, prevent “the exercise of professional judgment about how to accomplish intellectual diversity within an academic discipline, unless that exercise is misused to constrict intellectual diversity."

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.

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.  

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.