July 1, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Lanese, President and CEO, Inter-University Council of Ohio
Phone: 614-537-3816
Email: [email protected]
The Inter-University Council of Ohio Commends Increase to State Share of Instruction Funding
The Inter-University Council of Ohio (IUC) expresses its appreciation to the Ohio General Assembly and the DeWine administration for supporting a 1% year-over-year increase in State Share of Instruction (SSI) funding in the state’s operating budget.
SSI is an essential source of funding for public universities in Ohio and plays a pivotal role in ensuring Ohio students have access to high-quality academic programs in in-demand fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. From training the next generation of nurses to powering world class research, SSI dollars fuel programs that have a direct impact across the state. A responsible increase in investment to SSI is essential to ensure Ohio’s economy continues to grow and remain competitive with other states who are making bold investments in higher education.
The following statement may be attributed to Laura Lanese, President and CEO of the IUC:
“We appreciate Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly for supporting a 1% year-over-year increase in State Share of Instruction (SSI) funding. This continued investment reflects an ongoing recognition of the vital role Ohio’s 14 public universities play in preparing a highly educated workforce, keeping our state economically competitive nationally and internationally, advancing research and innovation, and strengthening civic life through an informed and engaged citizenry.
As other states, namely Florida and Texas, rapidly expand their financial investment in higher education to attract top talent and businesses, Ohio must strategically increase its investment to avoid falling behind.
We look forward to continuing to work with Governor DeWine and the General Assembly to keep Ohio’s public universities well positioned to deliver a return on investment that will expand access for students, ensure Ohio is a national leader in workforce and research innovation, and make all Ohioans proud.”
A 2023 economic impact study commissioned by IUC found that Ohio’s public universities contributed $68.9 billion to the state’s economy in FY 2021–2022 and generated $4.60 in economic return for every dollar the state invested. The study may be read in its entirety here.
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The Inter-University Council is a voluntary educational association of Ohio’s public universities.