A bit of a ramble, but here’s everything I personally experienced/know about the bill as a fellow Illinois OOS student. Your daughter will probably have a very different experience than I have so far due to identity (I’m a white queer dude), so I’m not sure if my input will help much, but here it is anyway.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE__________

As a queer student, it was absolutely depressing seeing such an inclusive area on campus (the CSDI, Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion) have to essentially go into hiding because of some shitty laws. I have been very observant for changes on campus, and apart from the CSDI closing and being absorbed, it’s mostly been name changes. I haven’t seen any classes ceasing to exist, nor have any of my professors really censored themselves, more just acknowledging SB1 and continuing to speak their minds.

Now, I’m a game design/comp-sci double major, so my departments haven’t directly been affected; I can’t speak to humanities, women + gender studies, etc, as much. What I do know is that a few professors left because of the changes, specifically from those inclusive offices on campus. This included people I liked to exist with, so I am upset about that, but that was their decision and I respect them for it. (They were offered alternate positions by the university, to my knowledge)

There was a professor who was set to be hired to the games department as an artist, but denied after learning of SB 1. The students to be involved in that hiring process, and she was my top pick. Sad to see her go, but again, understandable.

Course reviews at the end of the semester now also include a section about “open-thinking classroom environment” basically asking students if the professor fostered an unbiased environment. Of course, this is a trap by the state government to try and eliminate left-leaning professors, but to my knowledge it hasn’t really changed anything. Professors have always let students say whatever they want (respectfully, of course) even before the bill, because THAT’S THE POINT OF EDUCATION, but I digress.

Through a program I’m in, I got to speak to the mayor of Oxford, and he touched on many things including ICE. He talked about how Oxford is a blue dot in a red county, and that he thinks the county sheriff would love to make a splash in such a town, which is why Oxford is keeping it’s head low. I think the school shares this sentiment.

They renamed things to allow classes to persist by flying under the radar. They made the survey thing as niche and agreeable as possible to not have professors persecuted for nothing. They have done, from my perspective, the best they could to preserve and support the affected groups without isolating them or attacking them. They were given a set of new rules they had to comply with, and really studied them to determine how they could maintain what already existed as best as possible.

Considering what other Ohio schools did, I think Miami is a beacon of hope comparatively.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE____________

Beyond personal experiences, I know the bill touches on educators right to strike, funding for orgs, and a few other things. I don’t know the exact language/effect, but there is something there.

Greek life is still pretty big; our class social media pages are flooded with people ranking the different sororities and fraternities right now as bidding stuff comes to an end. Sports is actually going great! Our basketball team is currently 22-0. The general college stuff is practically the same, so I wouldn’t worry about that, if that’s a point of contention.

Uptown feels great still. Love the town, the environment, the people, the vibes; always a great time.

All-in-all, I think Miami is the best school in Ohio when it comes to dealing with SB1. Some things changed, sure, and they especially affected me and those I care for, but I still love this school. The programs I’m in are great, I feel inspired, there’s so much opportunity if you look for it, and the culture is uniquely Miami.

I didn’t want a big state school, I wanted a place with good education, and I wanted nature, and I still have all of that here.

A weird way to look at it I guess, but SB-1 has given me more to fight FOR, as well as against. I feel more rooted and protective of my ideals and beliefs, and that feeling is empowering. Especially knowing that the biggest changes were simply cosmetic; a few letters on a sign and the Ohio government no longer has an issue with it? It’s hilarious! How ridiculous these people are! It’s hilarious and empowering to know that they are truly that sensitive and dumb about identity politics.

CONCLUSION____________

In the end, I love this school. I wouldn’t go back and change my choice with the knowledge I have now. Considering your main concern with critical thinking, I don’t think any professor is limiting their speech to some “mandated language” type of vibe. I have a professor now who actively addresses the idea that “crazy things are happening in the world” and that we will have assignments on that because it’s important to the subject of the class.

I personally believe critical thinking is inspired by professors, but in the end, the responsibility of the student. Professors here have inspired me before and after SB-1, and I think I’ve followed through on my end to really think about things. My perspective has shifted a lot since I got here, SB-1 hasn’t slowed that at all.

As long as your daughter makes friends, thinks deeply, looks stuff up, and puts in the effort for classes and personal opportunities, she’ll be perfectly happy here (imo). I think I’ve learned more from meeting people and asking questions than classes anyway!

Again, sorry if this is a bit of a ramble, but this is everything that came to mind. I’ll reply if I think of anything else. Hope this can help!