Change needed in higher ed, but eliminating universities is not answer

Social media platforms can tempt politicians into hyperbole that doesn't always match reality. It can tempt anyone to do that. So, Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy can perhaps be forgiven for wondering on Threads whether it is possible to eliminate the state income tax (the real question is, if we do, how do we pay for everything?), and suggesting the Buckeye State's colleges and universities should be consolidated. "Look at the number of universities in our state. I love universities in Ohio. I want us to have the best universities," Ramaswamy said, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. "We have too many of them. They need to be consolidated. And when you consolidate them, they can actually be centers of excellence who are actually the best in their respective domains, instead of trying to create replicas and clones of one another throughout the state." Recall Ramaswamy was initially part of the federal Department of Government Efficiency effort, that has yielded mixed results under Elon Musk and now Amy Gleason. It makes sense, then, that efficiency is still on his mind. But he would have to tread very carefully in championing consolidation of Ohio's 36 two-year and four-year colleges and universities. (There are also 74 independent institutions and 49 technical colleges, according to the Ohio Department of Higher Education). In fact, one of his campaign representatives later clarified "Vivek is obviously not going to eliminate Ohio's great universities, but he will cut the bureaucracy that burdens them." The spokesperson went on "College tuition costs are more unaffordable than ever, and Vivek won't apologize for delivering solutions to fix that problem for Ohio families." Ramaswamy wouldn't have to apologize if that was what he said. But the spokesperson is just doing his job, and it is likely Ohio's institutions of higher learning would not have to look over their shoulders too often under a Ramaswamy administration. On the other hand, any effort out of Columbus to help those colleges and universities reduce spending and keep costs lower for students and their families (without sacrificing the quality of a useful education) would, of course, be welcomed. Higher education administrators DO need to recognize the need to change in line with the 12% decrease in enrollment their schools experienced between 2012 and 2022. But there is a reason elected officials pushed decades ago for a public college or university within 30 miles of every Ohioan. Accessible (and affordable) education is critical to our success. Ohio can't turn its back on that.