Ohio State University President Walter 'Ted' Carter Jr. has resigned following the disclosure of an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources for her personal business. The board of trustees accepted his resignation, acknowledging his contributions but expressing disappointment in the situation.
Key Takeaways
Ohio State University President Walter 'Ted' Carter Jr. resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship involving access to public resources. The board accepted his resignation but expressed disappointment in the situation and opened an investigation into his actions.
- Ohio State University President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship with a woman seeking public resources for her personal business
- Board of Trustees accepts resignation, expresses disappointment, and opens investigation
- Carter admits to making a mistake by allowing inappropriate access but does not elaborate on the nature of the relationship
- Daily operations will be managed by members of Carter's former cabinet until further notice
The university announced that it had opened an investigation into Carter's impropriety and was working on a leadership transition plan. Daily operations will be managed by members of Carter's former cabinet until further notice. Carter, who had led the university since 2024 with an annual salary of roughly $1.2 million, admitted to making a mistake by allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership.
Carter expressed regret for not being able to continue as president but praised the students, faculty, and staff at the university. He did not elaborate on the nature of the relationship and mentioned that he was leaving the post along with his wife, Lynda.
The resignation comes amid ongoing controversies involving former trustee Les Wexner and settlements related to sexual abuse by Richard Strauss. Jennifer Tisone Price, executive director of the Ohio conference of the American Association of University Professors, criticized the frequent turnover in leadership, stating that a transparent hiring process is necessary for shared governance.
Carter's resignation was accepted after a private executive session held by the board of trustees on Sunday. Board Chair John Zeiger expressed surprise and disappointment at learning about the matter, emphasizing its potential impact on the university. The board had previously awarded Carter a $50,000 merit raise in August, bringing his annual salary to over $1.1 million, along with a nearly $400,000 bonus. His contract was set to run through 2028.
The university's daily operations will be handled by members of Carter's former cabinet, which includes a chief of staff, two executive vice presidents, and seven senior vice presidents. Ohio State University is the nation's sixth-largest university, with over 67,000 students enrolled and significant financial resources.
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