1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

As a social work student, I strongly oppose Senate Bill 1 as it poses a grave threat to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion that are fundamental to my field. Social workers are trained to serve and advocate for marginalized and vulnerable populations, many of whom will be directly harmed by this legislation's attack on DEI programs and academic independence. Banning DEI initiatives in higher education will deprive students of crucial opportunities to develop cultural competence and engage with issues of systemic oppression and discrimination. These are core elements of social work education that prepare us to serve diverse communities effectively. Without exposure to DEI perspectives, we risk perpetuating harmful biases and failing to meet the needs of our clients. Moreover, undermining tenure protections and collective bargaining rights for faculty jeopardizes academic freedom and the ability to critically examine power structures and societal inequities. This chilling effect will inhibit the very dialogues and challenging of dominant narratives that are essential for cultivating ethical, anti-oppressive social work practice. As future social workers committed to upholding human rights and promoting social justice, we cannot stand by as this legislation erodes the foundations of inclusive, equitable education. I urge lawmakers to recognize the severe consequences this bill will have on developing a culturally competent workforce able to serve all Ohioans with dignity and empathy. Protecting DEI and academic freedom is vital not only for higher education, but for the well-being of our state's diverse communities.