University of Michigan President Dr. Santa J. Ono Announces Departure After Three Years

Surprise resignation: In a surprise news release, University of Michigan President Dr. Santa J. Ono said that he would step down after having held the post for a fairly brief three-year period. Ono has been selected as the sole finalist to be president at the University of Florida, which he will start this summer, subject to ratification by the Florida Board of Governors.

In a moving letter to the University of Michigan community, Ono said it was not an easy decision to step down. He recognized the close personal relationships he and his wife, Wendy, have formed with the university and its stakeholders. Although Ono loves Michigan immensely, he could not allow this new opportunity to slip away in Florida.

Ono became part of Michigan in October of 2022, succeeding Dr. Mark Schlissel, who was fired after it was determined through an investigation that an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate had occurred. Ono became president during the university being in deep crisis as it was facing lawsuits regarding the Dr. Robert Anderson case of sex abuse and attempting to retool its sexual misconduct policies.

Prior to his arrival in Michigan, Ono was a veteran higher education administrator. He had been president of the University of British Columbia and of the University of Cincinnati. As a former educator and accomplished manager, his background put him in good position to lead one of America’s top universities.

While she was based in Michigan, Ono worked on various major projects that, most of which, established a long legacy at the university. Most prominent among the successes was the establishment of Campus Plan 2050, the comprehensive plan for long-term vision about the future of the Ann Arbor campus. The master plan is the overall undertaking to define the physical and academic character of the university over a few decades.

To this, Ono also led initiatives on the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit, a program to enhance entrepreneurship and help revitalize the city. The university also expanded its Go Blue Guarantee during his time, now covering tuition fees for families of $125,000 or less enshrining the university’s mission as accessible and affordable.

Despite all of these awards, Ono’s leadership was surrounded by gigantic controversy while he was in office. Among the most controversial were a cutback in funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the abolition of the Office of DEI. The action brought widespread outrage, as the overall sentiment was that it went against the avowed mission of the university to have an inclusive campus community.

Additionally, Ono was criticized by pro-Palestinian student activists who were incensed at the reaction of the administration to campus protests. Activists had contended that free speech had been stifled by the university and the methods employed had been disproportionate in stopping demonstrations, and this fanned the controversy surrounding the university policy on free expression.

One of many of Ono’s achievements, however, was the creation of the Institute for Civil Discourse. The goal was to provide a space of civil dialogue and debate among ideologies and political parties. In his valedictorian speech, Ono profusely gloated over it as one of his most wonderful successes, praising the work of the institute because it promoted that kind of culture of respect and understanding on campus.

Reflecting on his years in Michigan, Ono declared he loved being able to preside over such a dynamic and diverse campus. He credited the campus culture of cooperation and its creativeness for being part of the success while he was there, saying Michigan’s best days are to come.

Though Ono is soon going to enter his new position in Florida, the University of Michigan Board of Regents has not yet suggested how it will proceed with filling the gap. The board has made no indication whether it will decide on appointing an interim president as a short-term solution.

University of Florida has confirmed that Ono’s hiring into their position comes after his “track record of scholarly excellence, creativity, and inclusive leadership.” Ono is to take over from Dr. Ben Sasse, who resigned in July 2023, pending confirmation.

Dr. Ono’s resignation closes a short but tumultuous chapter at the University of Michigan. Behind him is his stewardship during the stormy years, but ahead of him are his legacies of big benchmarks that will shape the university for generations to come. Whether it be through his role in building out the campus’ physical future or through his efforts to make higher education more accessible, Ono’s legacy will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Because the university is now confronted with having to search for a new leader, there will be a glance backward at Dr. Ono’s short but significant reign, recalling the accomplishments, scandals, and expectations that characterized his time at the University of Michigan.