Walter ‘Ted’ Carter Jr. has resigned as president at Ohio State University, citing an “inappropriate relationship” with an unnamed person seeking public resources.
He has only served as president since Jan. 1, 2024.
According to 10TV, Carter’s resignation followed a Saturday board meeting, with the Board of Trustees accepting the resignation on Sunday, the same day Carter sent a letter to Chairman John Zeiger. A statement from Carter was released on Monday from the university.
“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,” his statement read in part.
A response from Zeiger indicated the Board was “surprised and disappointed to learn of this matter and takes the situation and its potential impact on the university very seriously.”
The situation with Carter unfolded in a matter of days.
“Ohio State Spokesperson Ben Johnson said someone from outside the university came directly to the board about the relationship in recent days. When the board confronted Carter about the relationship, he offered to resign,” 10TV reported.
“The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has accepted President Walter ‘Ted’ Carter Jr.’s resignation. The president recently disclosed to trustees that he had an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business, and offered to resign,” a statement from the university read in part.
Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, who is an alumnus of OSU, expressed optimism about the future of the institution. “THE Ohio State University is renowned and respected worldwide. I trust new leadership will continue my Alma mater on that path,” Faber told The Daily Signal.
Not only is Carter departing early in his tenure, but so did the president before him.
Before Carter, Peter J. Mohler served as acting president from Aug. 22, 2023-Dec. 31, 2023. The 16th president, Kristina M. Johnson, served less than three years in her role, from Sept. 1, 2020-May 7, 2023. Most other past Ohio State presidents served in their role for longer.
State Sen. Bill DeMora, a Democrat whose district includes OSU and is himself an alumnus, referenced Johnson’s departure in comments included by The Columbus Dispatch. “The fact is our trustees are not representative of what the university should stand for,” DeMora said in part, also adding they “ran Kristina Johnson out of town.”
The Daily Signal reached out to DeMora’s office but did not hear back in time.
This article has been updated since publication to include a statement from Auditor Keith Faber.
