Ohio State president resigns over ‘inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources’

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio State University President Ted Carter has abruptly resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with an unnamed person seeking public resources.

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees accepted Carter’s resignation on Sunday. Trustees said Carter disclosed he had “an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business” and offered to leave his post, according to a news release issued by the university.

Carter’s resignation was announced Monday morning.

Carter’s term was not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2028. His contract does not appear to specify any penalty if he resigns, excluding during his first year, but it does say he’s required to give at least six months’ notice before doing so.

His resignation was approved and effective within one day, according to the letters of resignation. (His contract did not detail penalties for failing to provide six months’ notice.)

“For personal reasons, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as president of The Ohio State University,” Carter said. “I disclosed to the board of trustees that I made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership.”

In accepting Carter’s resignation, Board of Trustees Chair John Zeiger said the board was “surprised and disappointed” to learn of what happened, but grateful for Carter’s support of an orderly transition.

Ohio State said it was grateful for Carter’s contributions and did not announce who would take over in his absence. An announcement on leadership is expected in the coming days.

Carter had received a raise last year and trustees approved a larger fringe benefit payment for him only days before his resignation. At nearly $1.2 million, he was one of the highest-paid university presidents in the Big Ten.

Carter was hired in 2023 after former president Kristina Johnson’s 2022 resignation. Ohio State has had three presidents since 2020 and one interim, and will now embark on another presidential search.

A Rhode Island native, Carter had a long military career and past experience in higher education leadership at the University of Nebraska and U.S. Naval Academy.

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