Ohio State President Ted Carter Resigns Over 'Inappropriate Relationship'

Carter admitted to an improper relationship with someone seeking public resources.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Ohio State University President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. has resigned after disclosing to the university's board of trustees that he had an "inappropriate relationship" with someone who was "seeking public resources to support her personal business." The board accepted Carter's resignation on Sunday, and the university announced the news on Monday morning.

Why it matters

The resignation of a university president over an inappropriate relationship raises concerns about ethics, abuse of power, and the need for strong governance and oversight at major public institutions.

The details

In a statement, the Ohio State board of trustees said Carter "recently disclosed to trustees that he had an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business, and offered to resign." The person involved was not named. The board said it "appreciates Carter's contributions" and will share information about the leadership transition in the coming days.

  • On Saturday, March 9, 2026, Carter submitted his resignation.
  • On Sunday, March 10, 2026, the Ohio State board of trustees accepted Carter's resignation.
  • On Monday, March 11, 2026, the university announced Carter's resignation.

The players

Walter "Ted" Carter Jr.

The 17th president of Ohio State University, who resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources.

John Zeiger

The chair of Ohio State's board of trustees, who said he was "surprised and disappointed" to learn about the situation but respected Carter's decision to resign.

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What they’re saying

“I believe we have made much progress during my time at Ohio State, and I'm sorry I'm not able to remain your president longer. The students, faculty and staff at this university are among the very best in the world.”

— Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. (nbcnews.com)

“I was surprised and disappointed to learn of this situation, but I respect President Carter's decision and appreciate his cooperation in supporting an orderly leadership transition.”

— John Zeiger, Chair, Ohio State Board of Trustees (nbcnews.com)

What’s next

The Ohio State board of trustees will share more information about the leadership transition in the coming days.

The takeaway

The resignation of a university president over an inappropriate relationship highlights the importance of strong ethical standards and accountability at major public institutions. It raises questions about the need for robust governance and oversight to prevent abuses of power.