(COLUMBUS) - The president of Ohio State University has resigned after disclosing what the school described as an "inappropriate relationship" with a woman seeking university resources for her business.
Walter "Ted" Carter Jr., 66, stepped down over the weekend after informing the Ohio State Board of Trustees about the situation. In a statement, Carter said he voluntarily resigned after acknowledging he allowed "inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership."
University officials said the relationship involved a woman who was attempting to obtain public resources for a personal business. The university has not released further details about the relationship.
Board Chair John Zeiger said trustees were "surprised and disappointed" by the disclosure but accepted Carter's resignation and thanked him for cooperating with the leadership transition.
Ohio State has opened an internal investigation into the matter while working on a plan for new leadership.
Carter became president in 2023 after previously leading the University of Nebraska system. He is also a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral and former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the country, with more than 60,000 students and an annual operating budget of about $11.5 billion.