College Matters from The Chronicle Presidential Affairs
Mar 18, 2026
Dacher Keltner, UC Berkeley psychology professor who studies power and behavior. Sarah Brown, senior editor covering higher-education leadership and politics. Nell Gluckman, senior reporter on higher-education policy and institutional news. They unpack the Ohio State president’s resignation, conflicts of interest and optics, how power shapes conduct, and what boards should demand of university leaders.
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Ted Carter Resignation Linked To Podcast Relationship
- Ted Carter resigned suddenly after OSU said he had an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources.
- Reporting links the other person to a veterans podcast (Vet Earn USA) that had a contract with Ohio State and featured Carter as a guest.
Military Resume Built Political Armor
- Ted Carter's decorated military résumé gave him political credibility with Ohio lawmakers and shaped his public persona.
- That resume helped him influence state legislation and insulated him from some partisan attacks before the scandal.
Presidents Live In A Public Fishbowl
- A president's personal conduct is inseparable from institutional reputation because campus leaders live in a public fishbowl.
- Past cases like Mark Schlissel's flirty emails show how personal behavior quickly becomes a campus-wide humiliation.