A chilling effect has fallen over Ohio’s public college campuses. Both faculty and students are mincing their words in class and approaching their discussions with caution for fear of being reported, said Wright State University junior Rochelle Woodson. The state’s newly enacted education overhaul bill is to blame.

“In my in-person classes, there’s this tension of what they can and can’t say, [and] then we have a code of ethics to follow,” said Woodson, whose social work program’s embrace of diversity, equity and inclusion is at odds with the law. “Prior, I feel like my professors taught very [openly] and there were no questions, hidden tones.”

Nearly a month has passed since students returned for the 2025-26 academic year, and already some say they’re reeling from the effects of Senate

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