“You can’t talk about opinions openly without fearing consequences.”

“Topics now seem ‘controversial’ when it is actual science.”

“I am worried that I will get my professors in trouble by asking them questions or starting conversations related to subjects that fall under DEI.”

In the spring of 2026, we confidentially surveyed 38 faculty members and 47 students at Kent State University about their perceptions of Ohio’s Senate Bill 1 and its effects on free speech on campus. Among other things, SB1 eliminated DEI programs, restricted what faculty can say on “controversial topics” in the classroom, prohibited faculty strikes and cut undergraduate programs averaging less than five graduates annually over a three-year period.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Jerry Cirino, said SB1’s “most important element is that it restores free speech on campus.” But the majority of surveyed faculty and students have a negative overall impression of SB1. They described it as limiting academic freedom, changing classroom environments and taking away resources. Some say the legislation was politically motivated and unnecessary. Although not representative of all Kent State students and faculty, these findings suggest that SB1 might not be working as lawmakers intended.

In the menu above, “Students” and “Faculty” will take you to stories about how the sweeping law is changing the campus environment for both groups, according to our respondents and others interviewed. “Data” includes a more detailed look at the answers to specific questions and groups of faculty and students by discipline. And in “Essays,” a few Advanced Magazine Writing students share their opinions about what they’ve come to believe after reporting on campus free speech this semester.

Key takeaways 

• 61% of the faculty members surveyed said they feel their academic freedom has been affected by the implementation of SB1.
• 68% of surveyed students said SB1 will not result in better higher education in Ohio, and only 6% feel it will improve higher education.
• 24% of surveyed faculty say they have changed what they teach and 37% have changed how they teach to comply with the law.
• 79% of surveyed students said SB1 had not made them feel more comfortable sharing their opinions and beliefs on campus. In fact, 36% of surveyed students believed there to be less free speech on Kent State’s campus following SB1.

Illustrations by Kelsey Schmitt, junior studio art major at Kent State University.