Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is once again defending his proposal to eliminate state funding for what he calls “subpar” public universities in Ohio.
In a recent appearance, Ramaswamy said, “I don’t think you should be funding subpar universities,” responding to a student question about higher education spending.
The proposal follows an op-ed he wrote in The Columbus Dispatch, where he suggested restructuring the state’s higher education system, potentially consolidating or cutting funding to some schools while prioritizing others, including Ohio State University.
The idea has sparked pushback from educators and communities, particularly in northeast Ohio, where several universities play a major role in local economies.
Laura Bloomberg, president of Cleveland State University, cautioned against consolidation as a one-size-fits-all solution. She said public universities were created to serve the specific needs of their regions and should continue to reflect those missions.
“Cleveland State is proud to call itself Cleveland’s university,” Bloomberg said, noting more than 85% of graduates stay and work in northeast Ohio, contributing directly to the local economy.
Ramaswamy’s proposal has also raised concerns among critics who argue cutting or consolidating universities could impact jobs, small businesses, and access to higher education across the state.
The debate comes as Ohio leaders continue to weigh how to balance education funding, workforce needs, and regional economic development.
