ICYMI: Ramaswamy Doubles Down on Historically Unpopular College Closure Scam as University Leaders Speak Out

ICYMI: Ramaswamy Doubles Down on Historically Unpopular College Closure Scam as University Leaders Speak Out

September 28, 2026

Columbus, Ohio - Vivek Ramaswamy is doubling down on his historically unpopular college closure scam just weeks before Ohioans head to the polls. Months after its initial release, Ramaswamy still can't get away from his college closure scam after students, university leaders, and even Republican Governor Mike DeWine have publicly slammed his policy proposal.

Read more about Ramaswamy's college closure scam:

• I am convinced I will be the person who saves the long-run sustainability of public universities in Ohio," Mr. Ramaswamy told reporters Thursday. "The status quo is not a sustainable one."

• Mr. Ramaswamy's comments were a bit more nuanced than they were earlier this year, when he said Ohio's public universities should be consolidated.

• "Look at the number of universities in our state," Mr. Ramaswamy said in a social media post in March. "I love universities in Ohio. I want us to have the best universities, but we have too many of them. They need to be consolidated."

• Mr. Ramaswamy also wrote a guest column for the Columbus Dispatch in March - which is still featured on his campaign website - praising the state of Georgia for reducing its number of state universities from 35 in 2011 to 26 in 2018.

• Mr. Ramaswamy said Ohio should go further than Georgia did.

• Ohio's current Republican governor opposes any plan to consolidate the state's public colleges and universities.

• "Some have suggested the merger of some of our four-year colleges. I don't think that's a good idea," Gov. Mike DeWine said during recent remarks at the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Trustees Conference in Columbus.

• Todd Diacon, president of Kent State University, wrote an essay in April on the state of higher education in Ohio.

• "The public university system in Ohio wasn't assembled carelessly. It was built by elected leaders responding to real public demand," Mr. Diacon said.

• "Republican Gov. James Rhodes came to office in 1963 on a campaign promise to place a public university within 30 miles of every Ohio citizen," he continued. "What followed was one of the most consequential public investments in our state's history. … This was not a waste. This was Ohio investing in itself."

• Bowling Green State University President Rodney Rogers rejected the argument that Ohio has too many institutions of higher education during remarks last month to the Rotary Club of Toledo.

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