June 11, 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 Senate Leaders for Recognizing Value of Public Higher Education
The Inter-University Council of Ohio (IUC) expresses its appreciation to Senate leaders for their continued support of Ohio’s public universities through the Senate’s version of the state operating budget, which includes a 1% year-over-year increase in State Share of Instruction (SSI) funding.
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, 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 Senate President Rob McColley, Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino, Senate Higher Education Chair Kristina Roegner, Vice Chair Jane Timken, and members of the Ohio Senate for acknowledging the vital role that higher education plays in driving economic growth, innovation, and workforce readiness.
The Senate’s budget reflects a recognition of the value that Ohio’s 14 public universities deliver to all Ohioans. As other states, such as Florida and Texas, rapidly expand their financial investment in higher education to attract top talent and businesses, Ohio must continue to strategically increase its investment to avoid falling behind.
We look forward to continuing to work with the House, Senate, and Governor DeWine to keep Ohio’s public universities appropriately funded and well positioned to deliver a return on
investment that will make all Ohioans proud. With thoughtful investment, our public institutions of higher education will continue to deliver a strong return on investment for taxpayers, expand access for students, and ensure Ohio is a national leader in workforce and research innovation.”
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