Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently assured public university leaders that a proposal to shut down some institutions, as suggested by candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, will not occur. Speaking in a crowded auditorium at The Ohio State University, Governor DeWine addressed community college leaders, as well as four-year program presidents and trustees, affirming his position against such consolidations.
Among those present was Kent State University President Todd Diacon, who expressed his concerns about Ramaswamy’s ideas. Diacon highlighted Kent State’s role as an access institution, serving students who may not come from wealthy backgrounds and preparing them for post-graduation success. He noted the university’s recent achievement of enrolling its largest freshman class of nursing students in 10 years.
Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had previously advocated for consolidating what he called "too many" universities. In a video posted to his Threads account in March, Ramaswamy stated that universities "need to be consolidated." He further elaborated in an opinion article for The Columbus Dispatch, encouraging the closure of struggling universities. Ramaswamy specifically cited Kent State, Cleveland State, the University of Akron, and Central State University as institutions that have faced "previous challenges." He publicly stated at a Turning Point USA event that funding should not go to "subpar universities" and that colleges should avoid replicating programs, with only the strongest programs allowed to continue.
Governor DeWine directly addressed these concerns in his speech, stating that the idea of eliminating any state universities "would infringe upon our efforts to continue to broaden our access." He deemed the proposal "not a good idea," a sentiment met with applause from the audience. DeWine was unequivocal, adding that college consolidation "can’t and won’t happen." However, he acknowledged that his term as governor concludes in a few months.
When asked about the potential impact on students if the legislature were to approve Ramaswamy’s consolidation idea, Governor DeWine dismissed it as "speculation." He noted that such discussions were premature before the next governor is elected and expressed doubt that such a proposal would gain traction, stating it is "unlikely that anyone would really make that proposal." Despite having endorsed Ramaswamy, Governor DeWine has previously indicated his disapproval of some of the candidate’s policies on education and taxes.
Ramaswamy has attempted to clarify his earlier statements since the summer, indicating that he never intended to shut down entire colleges. Instead, he now suggests shutting down "duplicative programs" within universities. In July, he articulated his view that while every region should have strong higher education institutions, not every university needs to offer every program. Ramaswamy has also acknowledged that university leaders would likely not favor his initial ideas.
President Diacon further elaborated on Kent State’s impact, noting that its eight separate campuses serve diverse populations across various counties, including Ashtabula and Tuscarawas. He emphasized their importance not just as employers, but also for their contributions to the tax bases of those communities. Diacon shared that having Kent State specifically called out by Ramaswamy made him feel the candidate lacked understanding of the university’s work. He reflected that Kent State tends not to "brag about our strengths and successes," which might lead to a lack of appreciation for its significant impact on the region and the nation.
