Ohio State President Ted Carter Resigns Over Inappropriate Relationship

Carter admitted to an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking university resources.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Ohio State University accepted the resignation of its president, Walter 'Ted' Carter Jr., after he admitted to an inappropriate relationship. The university's Board of Trustees said Carter recently disclosed to them that he had an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business.

Why it matters

The resignation of a university president over an inappropriate relationship raises concerns about ethics, accountability, and the potential misuse of institutional resources. It also highlights the importance of strong governance and oversight at major public universities.

The details

Carter, 66, told the board on Saturday in a three-hour executive session that he made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership. The board thanked Carter for his leadership and praised his accomplishments at Ohio State, but accepted his resignation.

  • On March 9, 2026, Ohio State University accepted Carter's resignation.
  • On Saturday, Carter disclosed the inappropriate relationship to the Board of Trustees in a three-hour executive session.

The players

Walter "Ted" Carter Jr.

The former president of Ohio State University who resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship.

Ohio State University Board of Trustees

The governing body of Ohio State University that accepted Carter's resignation.

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What they’re saying

“The president recently disclosed to trustees that he had an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business.”

— Ohio State University Board of Trustees (breitbart.com)

“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.”

— Walter "Ted" Carter Jr., Former Ohio State University President (breitbart.com)

What’s next

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will begin the process of selecting a new president to lead the university.

The takeaway

The resignation of a university president over an inappropriate relationship highlights the need for strong ethical standards and accountability at the highest levels of academic leadership. It also underscores the importance of transparent governance and oversight to maintain public trust in major public institutions.