Ohio Education Lawsuit: 3 People, Big Change
In a David-versus-Goliath showdown, three Ohio university faculty members are challenging Senate Bill 1, a law that dramatically impacts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Mandy Fehlbaum, Mark Vopat, and Cryshanna Jackson Leftwich are leading a referendum to put the controversial law to a public vote, potentially pausing its implementation. The trio gathered over 6,200 signatures in record time, showing the fervor against legislation that restricts classroom discussions and limits union negotiations. They are now battling to gather over 250,000 signatures by June 25, a move backed by many, including Blue Ohio and the Ohio Democratic House Caucus. Read on for more from News Directory 3 if you wont to learn how this grassroots movement could reshape Ohio’s educational landscape.Discover what’s next in this fight for academic freedom.
Ohio Faculty Mount Referendum Challenge to Education Law
Updated June 07, 2025
Three faculty members at Youngstown State university are spearheading a referendum effort to challenge ohio’s Senate Bill 1, also known as the “Advance Ohio Higher Education Act.” The law, which impacts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, has faced opposition from faculty who believe it undermines higher education principles.
Mandy Fehlbaum, Mark Vopat, and Cryshanna Jackson Leftwich initiated the effort to place a referendum on the November ballot. This would allow Ohio voters to decide whether SB 1 remains law or is repealed. Their initial step involved gathering signatures to certify their petition.
In April, the trio began collecting signatures, quickly amassing over 6,200 from registered Ohio voters. This allowed them to certify the petition in early May. Now, they face the more significant hurdle of collecting over 250,000 signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties by June 25. Success would pause the law until the general election.
“There were three of us that saeid we are fed up… who said, ‘we want to do the right thing, and we want to do something,’” Jackson Leftwich said. She emphasized the importance of taking action,even in the face of potential defeat,to ensure voices are heard.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed SB 1 into law in March.The legislation regulates classroom discussions on “controversial beliefs,” restricts DEI initiatives, prohibits faculty strikes, and limits union negotiations regarding tenure.Supporters, like state Sen. Jerry Cirino, argue it promotes free speech and intellectual diversity.
Critics, tho, contend that the law censors academic freedom and undermines support for students. Vopat noted concerns about entertaining problematic ideas in the classroom, such as defending slavery.
“This bill… at least in my experience, in my 20-plus years at Youngstown State and higher ed, it just dismantles what higher ed’s supposed to be.”
Vopat, Fehlbaum, and Jackson Leftwich also raised concerns about the law’s impact on tenure and potential bias in student evaluations. They fear these changes could deter students from attending Ohio’s public universities. Vopat described the law as turning universities into businesses where profit takes precedence over academic values.
After seeing universities like Ohio State University and the University of Toledo make changes to comply with the law, the group decided to act. They drafted the petition language, sought legal review, and mobilized their network of unions.
The Ohio SB 1 petition website indicates they gathered 6,253 signatures across 423 part-petitions in just 10 days.
Since certifying their petition, the group has gained support from over 1,500 volunteers and organizations like Blue Ohio and the Ohio Democratic House Caucus.They have also raised nearly $40,000 to support their efforts.
“We realize we are underdogs in this, but we are doing our best to put a concerted effort there, and I think that it’s very feasible we’ll be able to do it.”
Fehlbaum noted the challenges of informing voters about the bill and their petition. Despite this, she expressed optimism about their chances of success.
What’s next
The group continues to collect signatures, hoping their efforts will inspire others to fight back against similar measures nationwide. They aim to demonstrate the power of collective action in protecting higher education and academic freedom.