When asked about his proposal at the Ohio State Turning Point USA event last month, he doubled down. “I don’t think you should be funding subpar universities,” he said. 

“Vivek doesn’t get it: He went to Harvard, where he spent his time opposing a living wage for janitors,” said Innovation Ohio President Michael McGovern. “Not everyone can live such a fancy life. Ohio’s public colleges provide young people with the skills they need to follow their dreams, and allow working parents to affordably get the skills to find a better job. Vivek wants to close down these engines of opportunity because he wants to keep hoarding all the wealth for himself.”

Central State University is Ohio’s only public HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and was founded in 1887 – after originally being part of the nation’s oldest HBCU, Wilberforce. Alumni include Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine, Elizabeth Eckford, and Teddy Seymour, the first Black man to sail around the world solo. The college adds $104 million  to the regional economy. A graduate can expect to be paid an additional $1.25 million over their lifetime than if they had not earned a degree, according to a 2024 economic impact report. 

“It’s hard for any billionaire to understand what regular people care about, but it seems especially true with Vivek,” McGovern said. “Ohioans care about our public colleges. We’re proud to support them and those of who attended them are proud of the education we received. We don’t need the Ivy League degree to feel important.