The president of The Ohio State University has stepped down after acknowledging an "inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business," the institution announced on Monday.
Resignation and Admission of Misconduct
Walter "Ted" Carter Jr., who served as president for just over two years at one of the nation's largest public universities with more than 67,000 students, submitted his resignation. In a statement released by OSU, Carter expressed, "For personal reasons, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as president of The Ohio State University. I disclosed to the board of trustees that I made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership."
Details and University Response
Specifics regarding the nature of the inappropriate relationship and the individuals involved beyond Carter remain unclear at this time. According to a university spokesperson who spoke with The Columbus Dispatch, the matter was brought to light after an anonymous source alerted the board of trustees.
In a publicly shared letter accepting Carter's resignation, OSU Board of Trustees President John Zeiger stated that the panel "was surprised and disappointed to learn of this matter and takes the situation and its potential impact on the university very seriously." The board officially accepted Carter's resignation on Saturday, following a three-hour meeting, as reported by WOSU Public Media.
Transition and Background
OSU has not yet named a replacement for Carter but indicated that it "will share additional information about the transition in the coming days." Prior to his tenure at OSU, Carter had a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, serving as a vice admiral and flight officer. He later became the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 2014 to 2019, followed by a presidency at the University of Nebraska before assuming the role at OSU in 2024.
Broader Context and University Challenges
Carter's resignation occurs amid ongoing pressure on the university to sever ties with OSU donor alumnus Les Wexner, the retail billionaire associated with several mall brands, due to his connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Last month, hundreds of students participated in a walkout, demanding the removal of Wexner's name from three OSU buildings, highlighting broader issues facing the institution.
