Ohio’s 14 public universities shelled out more than $2.55 million in total to visiting campus speakers between July 2025 and February 2026, according to a recent Signal Statewide analysis of institutions’ websites.
Ohio State University, the state’s largest, invited 775 speakers during that time period. Central State University, in Wilberforce, reported no paid speakers.
Online records accessed in February 2026 show other schools’ speaker tallies ranged somewhere in between. The University of Cincinnati reported hosting 236 speakers, while Ohio University said 96 appeared on campus.
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Public colleges and universities are required to publicly share who they’re inviting to speak on campus – along with how much schools are paying those guests if the amount is over $500 – as part of Senate Bill 1. The controversial law overhauling how higher education works in the state took effect in June 2025.
But institutions are interpreting this requirement in different ways. Some institutions note a surplus of data. Others simply mention a guest’s name, the date of their appearance and the payment they received. Institutions also update these databases at different intervals.
Universities say speakers hosted by student organizations are exempt from rules. It’s unclear whether the law’s provisions extend to events hosted by or in conjunction with universities’ foundations, which are separate, non-profit organizations.
Regional universities land big-name guests
Online records show Miami University spent the most on a single guest, paying $175,000 for a stand-up performance by comedian Seth Meyers. The university also spent nearly $17,700 on a booking agency related to the appearance.
But the visit was part of the university’s family weekend celebrations, not as a speaker addressing a class. It was open to the public and held at an on-campus basketball arena with a seating capacity of up to 10,000 people. A separate website shows the university sold tickets ranging in price from $55 to $70.
Other regional public universities also shelled out thousands for non-class events with famous faces.
The University of Akron paid journalist Connie Chung $55,000 for an October 2025 appearance in conjunction with the Knight Foundation. This free event was open to the public.
Influencer Brittany Broski received $52,500 for a comedy performance as part of Bowling Green’s homecoming celebrations last fall. Tickets ranged in price from $22 to $37, per an event listing on the university’s website.
Cleveland State brings in Civics Center speakers
Cleveland State University paid 14 speakers for seven events between September 2025 and February 2026, according to its page.
The most – $5,000 – during that period went to author Musa al-Gharbi. An online invitation shows he was one of four guests appearing for an event of “How Woke R U? A discussion of higher education in Cleveland” held at the Union Club of Cleveland.
The event was hosted by the university’s Center for Civics, Culture and Society. So, too, were the majority of events with paid speakers, according to related promotional materials shared on the center’s website and Instagram account.
Republican lawmakers announced the creation of these centers at Cleveland State and four other universities three years ago to combat what they say is a liberal bias on campuses.
