Ohio’s Loss, Michigan’s Gain? EMU Leverages Controversial Ohio Law to Boost Enrollment

Eastern Michigan may be one of Michigan's more overlooked schools higher education. Beyond being physically overshadowed by the larger University of Michigan campus next door in Ann Arbor, the school trails in enrollment to its other Mid-American Conference members, Western and Central Michigan.

But the Ypsilanti school is looking directly at Ohio to bolster enrollment.

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The trigger came in the form of a controversial piece of legislation from the Buckeye State called Senate Bill 1. The law is a controversial bit of business designed, opponents say, to stifle voices on campus by banning diversity, including and equity efforts and restrict how professors teach their classes.

The bill is deeply unpopular and many in Ohio feel it will have a chilling affect on campuses.

And that's where Eastern Michigan comes into play. While most in Michigan likely haven't followed the controversial Ohio law, those who work in higher education certainly have.

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EMU has launched an aggressive advertising campaign in Ohio promoting residents of that state can receive Michigan's in-state tuition rate.

The advertising also takes a not-so-veiled shot at Ohio's SB1 restrictions, as Cleveland.com reported:

“Tired of restrictions? Cross the border to opportunity,” says an ad that launched in May. “At EMU, we offer in-state tuition for Ohio residents.”...“At EMU, you’re free to be you,” says an ad that began running in mid June. “No out of state tuition fees.”

What many may not know is that offering Ohio residents in-state tuition has been a long-standing practice at EMU.

So EMU has offered Ohio in state tuition prices since the 80’s, now Ohio is salty that they’re advertising it a bit more…

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The reciprocity agreement is quite generous, and a bit lopsided to favor Ohio students:

A tuition reciprocity agreement with Ohio, entered into by the Michigan State Board of Education and the Ohio Board of Regent in 1980, allows an Ohio resident to attend Eastern Michigan University at Michigan resident tuition rates. Monroe County residents can attend the University of Toledo at Ohio resident tuition rates

Will Ohio students look north when it comes time to consider secondary education? Only time will tell, but EMU certainly hopes to see more Ohio license plates running around Ypsilanti.