Higher education policy and practice is directed by the OEA’s Higher Education Advisory Council (HEAC).
Specifically, HEAC is responsible for devising and implementing instructional programs to enhance the professional ability of its members and advocating for the interests of its members within the Association.
This includes providing support for collective bargaining in higher education, development of appropriate legislative positions and maintenance of appropriate relations with other groups interested in higher education and supportive of Association positions; and recommending members to be appointed to OEA Committees and other appropriate NEA and OEA bodies.
Members of the Higher Education Advisory Council are nominated and elected by OEA affiliates. The members select officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary) annually at one of four meetings per academic year.
For more information about HEAC, please contact the OEA Higher Education Liaison, Mark Linder, at linderm@ohea.org, or email Dovel Myers, the HEAC chair, at heacchair@ohea.org.
Stand with Ohio Higher Education: Help Repeal SB1 – Sign, Volunteer, Donate
Ohio’s Senate Bill 1 directly threatens academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our state’s public colleges and universities. While SB1 primarily targets higher education, its erosion of shared governance and labor rights undermines principles that affect all educators. A referendum campaign is now underway to put the repeal of SB1 before Ohio voters, and we need your help. The below resources are from the YSU-OEA campaign to place SB1 on the ballot. Please note that this information is intended for OEA members and staff informational purposes only.
How You Can Help
- Sign the Referendum Petition
- Visit and sign the petition at https://tinyurl.com/4y3xv3nd.
- If you have already signed, please encourage eligible colleagues to do so.
- Volunteer to Collect Signatures
- Visit the campaign website for volunteer opportunities and training: https://ohsb1petition.com.
- You may host or attend local signature-collection events, coordinate with fellow educators, or organize workplace/community drives—every signature matters.
- Donate to Support Petition Printing and Outreach
- Contribute to offset costs of printing petitions, promotional materials, and logistics: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/fund-petition-printing?source=direct_link&.
- Even small donations help ensure we have enough materials across all 88 counties.
- Stay Informed via the Campaign’s Newsletter
- Subscribe to regular updates on progress, deadlines, and local events: https://ohsb1petition.substack.com
- Please share the newsletter link within your network so more Ohioans stay informed and engaged.
Spread the Word
- Share these links on social media, community groups, and among colleagues.
- Forward this information to fellow OEA members about the impact.