© 2026 WOSU Public Media
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bill Change Puts Student Trustee Voting Power Into Hands Of Universities

Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg)
Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg)

Public universities in Ohio have mixed feelings about a bill that would grant voting power to their student trustees. But a lawmaker is proposing a compromise that he believes would gain their support. 

Republican Representative Niraj Antani of the Dayton area says the new version of his bill would allow the universities to decide if student trustees should have voting power. The previous version made it mandatory.

“If universities aren’t in favor of the bill or at least neutral, some of my colleagues will not vote for it. So, this is a compromise in order to get the bill passed,” said Antani.

Though the bill appears to give no additional weight to the opinions of student trustees, Antani says their involvement is critically important if universities and the state are looking to lower the cost of college.

Joshua Lim is a fellow in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Statehouse News Bureau.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.
Statehouse News Bureau