News Summary

Santa Ono is departing from his role as president of the University of Michigan (UM) to become the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida (UF). During his three-year tenure at UM, he focused on rebuilding trust within the university community amid several challenges, including leadership issues and ongoing litigation around sexual misconduct. Ono’s appointment at UF could see him as the highest-paid public university president in the U.S., with an anticipated annual compensation of up to $3 million.

Ann Arbor – Santa Ono has announced his departure from the presidency of the University of Michigan (UM) to become the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida (UF). Ono’s move follows a three-year tenure at UM, where he played a crucial role in rebuilding trust within the university community.

Ono plans to begin his new role at UF this summer, pending approval from the UF Board of Governors. He informed Kathy White, the Board of Regents Chair, of his decision to leave, indicating that the choice was difficult due to the strong relationships he developed while at UM.

In response to Ono’s announcement, Regent Paul Brown acknowledged his leadership, stating it was an honor to work with him and wishing him well in his next position. The UM Board of Regents issued a statement commending Ono’s achievements and noting his vision for encouraging ambitious ideas among students and faculty.

Ono’s tenure at UM began in October 2022, during a turbulent period marked by the firing of his predecessor, Mark Schlissel, due to inappropriate conduct. Ono took on a significant challenge, addressing not only the issues surrounding leadership but also navigating the university through ongoing litigation related to sexual abuse scandals and necessary reforms to sexual misconduct policies.

Before his role at UM, Ono served as president of the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Cincinnati. At UF, he is anticipated to receive a total cash compensation of up to $3 million annually, which could position him as the highest-paid public university president in the United States.

During his time at UM, Ono introduced several key initiatives, including the Campus Plan 2050, aimed at outlining development strategies for the next 25 years. He was instrumental in securing the establishment of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit and expanding the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition to families with an income of up to $125,000.

Ono’s administration faced criticism for reductions in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly highlighted by the closure of the Office of DEI. Furthermore, he faced accusations from pro-Palestinian activists regarding the university’s handling of campus protests in relation to the Gaza conflict, which highlighted the complexities of balancing free speech and community sentiments on campus.

Despite the controversies, Ono cited the creation of the Institute for Civil Discourse as a point of pride, reflecting his commitment to fostering constructive dialogue within the university. He emphasized the collaborative spirit of the UM community in his farewell message.

His presidency was also marked by his advocacy for college sports, significantly impacting major decisions concerning UM’s football team, including negotiations surrounding Coach Jim Harbaugh’s contract.

In light of Ono’s departure, the UM Board of Regents has stated that they are currently in the process of developing a transition plan. They are committed to ensuring continuity in UM’s leadership and have expressed their appreciation for Ono’s contributions to the university during his time in office.

Ono’s contract with UM had been extended through 2032, reflecting an increase in his salary to $1.3 million per year, prior to his recent announcement. The transition of leadership comes as UM continues to navigate the challenges and successes of its ongoing endeavors.