dr Rosemary Pennington
Rosemary Pennington is Associate Professor and Divisional Coordinator of Journalism at Miami University, where she serves on the University Senate. She is also a proud graduate of Minford High School and public universities in Ohio and Indiana.
Public education across the country is under attack.
School libraries are taking books off shelves over fears they could be sanctioned for borrowing books that are now banned. At universities in certain states, years of work are being dismantled for a fairer environment. Well organized and well funded, this attack has now found its way to Ohio.
Ignore “hysteria”.Freedoms attack on Ohio universities. My bill will protect them| cirino
Teacher:“Censoring and banning books means wiping out whole sections of humanity”
Legislators introduced Senate Bill 83 in the Ohio Legislature. This bill, as written, would fundamentally transform higher education in Ohio.
It would damage the culture and the economy of the state. As a colleague said, “There’s something in there that offends everyone.”
American Historical Association:Unwieldy bill would destroy higher education in Ohio
It really is a grab bag of educational assignments. The bill targets academic freedom, the tenure and doctorate process, core curricula, teaching of American history and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at all levels of an institution.
While I find much of the bill troubling, the language surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion gives me the most food for thought.
The bill would ensure that private universities do not require DEI instruction from their students, would make it illegal for universities to require DEI training for employees and diversity statements from potential employees, would allow honest discussion of social justice issues or specifically Prohibit hiring employees from working on DEI issues.
Enacting such mandates would jeopardize the accreditation of many Ohio programs.
A colleague who teaches at the Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in Miami notes that accreditation for that department’s graduate program requires that topics related to DEI “be considered throughout our graduate curriculum—both theoretical and practical.”
There are 14 such programs in this Ohio area, and all are at risk of losing accreditation if Senate Bill 83 is passed. Accreditation is important as it helps recruit students to an institution as it lets them know they are receiving the education they need to graduate successfully.
Ohio lawmakers have spent the last year celebrating Intel’s decision to move to the state, a boon to the economy at a time of economic turmoil.
Our view:Unwelcome to Ohio. Leaders working to make the state less attractive no more
What will this prospective employer think of a state’s decision to quash DEI education efforts because the company has adopted a diversity, equity and inclusion mindset? Universities Revise Curriculum Based on Student and Employer Needs – DEI education is a need that Ohio universities cannot meet if SB 83 is in place.
Ohio universities offer world-class education. We bring qualified, smart and motivated young adults into this state and then send them into the labor market.
We are also employers who attract scientists who help us better understand our world and teachers who share their skills and expertise with their students. Senate Bill 83 jeopardizes this.
I urge you to read the bill for yourself and then go to your senator and ask him to vote no. A yes would jeopardize everything the state has done to revitalize its economy.
Rosemary Pennington is Associate Professor and Divisional Coordinator of Journalism at Miami University, where she serves on the University Senate. She is also a proud graduate of Minford High School and public universities in Ohio and Indiana.
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