Statement: SB1 Passes, But the Voice of the People is Unstoppable
Ohio Senate Bill 1, the Destruction of Higher Education Act, was signed into law on March 28, 2025 by Governor Mike DeWine. Below are the statements I sent, as president of AAUP-Ohio State, to our chapter members and to the wider public. Make no mistake: the atrocity called SB1 (resuscitating the failed SB83) has swelled our ranks, as faculty have realized that the only way to fight for academic freedom, free speech, diversity, and worker rights is to organize. This bill is far from the end of the story, at least here in Ohio.
Message to members
Dear all,
I’m sure you know the news by now, SB1 is now law. And that will empower all of the elements of society who want to turn back the clock. And yet what remains with me right now is the sheer heroism and righteousness of the struggle we were part of, which galvanized thousands of people across the state.
There will be time for assessment and discussion of next steps. This weekend you can expect an email from me giving the details for our next chapter meeting on April 1. We have always organized with goals in mind beyond this bill, and we are well placed to continue our work.
But for now, I’m just writing to wish you well and say what an honor it has been to work alongside such amazing colleagues.
Below I’m sharing the note that I wrote up on behalf of the chapter and we have sent around social media. Please share and use it as you like. Don’t hesitate to write messages to your departments. Each one of us right now is a bridge from a colleague who is angry or in despair to greater faculty power, and organizing.
So let’s make best use of that as we can. At the same time, make sure you take a break if you’ve been going 24/7 on this. The struggle will be there tomorrow, but we’re not any good to anyone if we’re not good ourselves.
Peace
Pranav
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AAUP social media message from yesterday:
Ohio Republicans, hell-bent on destroying the legacy of the 1960s and 1970s movements for social justice, the legacy of the labor movement, and the legacy of all those who have fought for academic freedom and freedom of speech, have signed SB1 into law.
We will fight the impact of this bill in every arena that we can, just as we fought it for more than two years. We know that we stand with thousands of educators, students, and parents, who are disgusted by this naked display of governmental repression of higher education.
We are sad and angry today, but we are that much more dedicated to organizing, that much more dedicated to building upon the tremendous student-faculty solidarity we have seen in the past two years, as thousands have stood up against SB1 and SB83.
SB1 is the reflection in Ohio of the authoritarian tendencies emerging from our federal government. We have a tough road in front of us. But the voice of the people is unstoppable — as history has taught us again and again.
Peace and solidarity,
Dr Pranav Jani
President, AAUP-Ohio State
