Michael V. Drake went into work Tuesday for his last day of 2,192 days as university president.<\/p>\n
The university has seen scandal, tragedy and triumph during Drake\u2019s six-year tenure. From The Lantern archives, here are some of the major headlines during his time at Ohio State.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
Board of Trustees announces UC Irvine Chancellor Michael Drake as next Ohio State president<\/h4>\n
Jan. 30, 2014<\/em><\/p>\n Ohio State officials announced Thursday Michael Drake as the university\u2019s next president, effective June 30.<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI am deeply honored by your nomination and the confidence you display in me,\u201d Drake said. \u201cI\u2019m truly excited and honored to be here today.\u201d<\/p>\n Drake said the OSU presidency is in many ways the \u201cpremier\u201d position in higher education in the U.S.<\/p>\n \u201cOhio State is bold in its intention to inspire greatness in its faculty, staff and students \u2026 I am deeply humbled by this opportunity and looking forward to joining the Buckeye community.\u201d<\/p>\n Drake was appointed chancellor of UC Irvine in 2005. Before his appointment, he served as vice president for health affairs for the University of California system for five years.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Jan. 31, 2014<\/em><\/p>\n Ohio State\u2019s next appointed president Michael Drake is set to earn more than $1 million including a base compensation of $800,000, deferred compensation of $200,000 and other perks.<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n Drake\u2019s contract also says he will be provided with laboratory space in the College of Medicine and research funds up to $50,000 per year for as long as he is president.<\/p>\n He is set to receive an automobile stipend of $1,200 per month and will be expected to live at the OSU presidential residence.<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n Former OSU President E. Gordon Gee earned nearly $1.9 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year at OSU.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> President Michael Drake talks to the media and members of the OSU community June 30, 2014. June 30, 2014<\/em><\/p>\n In his first day as Ohio State\u2019s president, Dr. Michael Drake said he plans to prioritize excellence, opportunities, and the university\u2019s relationship with the community during the beginning of his presidency.<\/p>\n \u201c(Our) priorities are to focus on the things that got us here,\u201d Drake said in a meet-and-greet held for him Monday morning at Bricker Hall. \u201cThis is a wonderful university with a great impact over many, many decades.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Aug. 12, 2014<\/em><\/p>\n Though Ohio State has not explicitly said whether it\u2019s considered rehiring former marching band director Jonathan Waters, if he was rehired, it wouldn\u2019t be the first time President Michael Drake reversed a high-profile dismissal.<\/p>\n Waters was fired July 24 after a two-month OSU investigation into a complaint from a band member\u2019s parent found \u201cserious cultural issues and an environment conducive to sexual harassment within the marching band,\u201d according to an OSU statement. It was found that Waters was either aware of, or reasonably should have been aware of that culture, but did not do enough to address it.<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n Drake has largely been the face of OSU\u2019s side in the matter. The day Waters was fired, he released a statement and an approximately three-minute-long video about the investigation\u2019s findings and the decision to terminate Waters. Because of this, some arguing for Waters to be rehired have addressed their opinions to him.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a situation he\u2019s likely familiar with.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Jan. 26, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n Ohio State President Michael Drake has had a son and a nephew compete in collegiate athletics, and said he doesn\u2019t support the idea of pay-for-play for college athletes.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the professional athletics are one thing, and the collegiate athletics are another,\u201d Drake said during a Monday interview with The Lantern. \u201cAnd I really support a collegiate model.\u201d<\/p>\n Under current NCAA rules, schools can provide student-athletes with their full cost of attendance, but athletes don\u2019t receive a salary or additional pay from the school. They are also prohibited from receiving compensation for anything related to their participation in athletics, including signing autographs or selling memorabilia.<\/p>\n In August, the O\u2019Bannon v. NCAA trial resulted in a ruling that said schools could not prohibit student athletes from earning a portion of the revenue from using a player\u2019s likeness by, for example, selling their jerseys or pictures.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> President Michael Drake speaks to The Lantern staff during a Jan. 26, 2015, interview.<\/span> March 30, 2015<\/em> \u2014 Ohio State President Michael Drake compared his time at the university so far to a cross-country marathon through beautiful terrain.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes it\u2019s up and down, sometimes there\u2019s gravel, but the terrain is incredible, and you\u2019re really involved in that and moving forward,\" he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> March 31, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe university must continue to be a beacon that illuminates the clearest path to the American Dream. And it must continue to do so while maintaining the access, affordability and excellence that have defined our finest public universities since their inception.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n In his \u201cinvestiture address,\u201d he spoke about how his past shaped his character and the future he envisions for OSU, instilling his stories with the administration\u2019s common themes of access, affordability and excellence.<\/p>\n $400 million initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n In the marquee topic of his speech, Drake announced a five-year, $400 million plan that would redirect funds toward academics and need-based scholarships.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> May 8, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n A plan by university President Michael Drake would freeze tuition for Ohio residents, as well as fees and housing and dining costs for the 2015-16 school year. But the plan would raise the cost of out-of-state and international students\u2019 tuition.<\/p>\n The plan, announced Friday in an emailed statement from Drake addressed to faculty, students and staff, is set to be proposed to the Board of Trustees for approval in June.<\/p>\n Called the \u201caffordability proposal,\u201d the plan would seek to freeze rates on \u201cin-state tuition, mandatory fees, housing, dining and all undergraduate program, course and learning technology fees on the Columbus campus,\u201d according to a university press release.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> This April 2, 2015, letter was written by Lantern staff member <\/em>Kevin Stankiewicz<\/p>\n Congratulations on officially becoming the 15th president of The Ohio State University on Tuesday at your investiture ceremony. I look forward to having you lead the school throughout my next three years here and beyond.<\/p>\n In your investiture address, you made note of intolerance across our country and said that \u201cuniversities \u2014 of all places \u2014 must welcome and celebrate all individuals, regardless of race, class, culture, orientation or identity.\u201d<\/p>\n I agree. Your statement is 100 percent accurate, and that is why in light of recent legislation passed in our neighboring state of Indiana, I am asking you to ban all university-funded travel to the state as long as Senate Bill 101, in its current form, is enacted.<\/p>\n SB 101, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, allows businesses to state \u201cfree exercise\u201d of religion and use it as a defense against lawsuits. Effectively, this will allow business owners to deny any service to individuals who might conflict with their religious beliefs and then use the law as defense in court. Opponents, such as myself, fear this will allow for discrimination against LGBT individuals.<\/p>\n But it does not stop there. The law would allow a Christian owner of a coffee shop to deny a Jewish man wearing a kippah service if the owner feels \u201csubstantially burdened.\u201d The issue is that \u201csubstantially burdened\u201d is vague and could prove to be a slippery slope.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> University President Michael Drake sits with members of The Lantern staff during an interview in 2016. Jan. 22, 2016<\/em><\/p>\n University President Michael Drake announced during the State of the University Address Thursday afternoon that Ohio State is on course to increase the president\u2019s affordability grant program by $5 million next academic year.<\/p>\n This expansion, added to grants announced by the president last July, would create a total of $20 million in need-based financial aid through the grant program.<\/p>\n Next year\u2019s grants will provide aid to about 15,700 undergraduates, including more than 3,000 students at OSU regional campuses, Drake said. This addition would bring a two-year total of $35 million in affordability grants.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are honoring our promise of access to an affordable education \u2014 not at the expense of our academic and research excellence, but by operating a more efficient and innovative university,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Journalists prepare for broadcasting Thursday afternoon after the Supreme Court issued its ruling on Fisher v. University of Texas. June 25, 2016<\/em><\/p>\n The Supreme Court solidified the use of affirmative action in the University of Texas\u2019s admission process on Thursday, prompting praise from Ohio State University President Michael Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cFor four decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that diversity is a vital part of the higher education experience and a legitimate pursuit for colleges and universities,\u201d Drake said in a statement.<\/p>\n The case, prompting its second ruling from the Supreme Court, centered around white student Abigail Fisher, who sued after being denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin based on her race. The university guarantees admission to those in the top of their class before opening up to general enrollment \u2014 which considers race, among other factors \u2014 for other applicants. Fisher was not in the top of her class.<\/p>\n While the 4-3 ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas on the university\u2019s use of race-conscious admissions standards wasn\u2019t a blanket endorsement of all affirmative action programs, it was seen as a victory by many higher education administrators.<\/p>\n \u201cIn our university labs and classrooms, diversity sparks innovation, strengthens cultural understanding, amplifies creative work, broadens scholarly benefits to society and produces more competent workers and thinkers,\u201d Drake\u2019s statement read.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Sept. 13, 2016<\/em><\/p>\n When University President Michael Drake sat down with The Lantern on Monday afternoon, his main message was one of communication. In addition, he looked to the future of traditions and diversity at Ohio State.<\/p>\n Communication during student protest<\/strong><\/p>\n In April, student protesters staged a sit-in at Bricker Hall, where President Drake\u2019s office is located. The coalition of student organizations involved included Real Food OSU, United Students Against Sweatshops, Still We Rise, OSU Coalition for Black Lives and the Committee for Justice in Palestine. One of the coalition\u2019s main causes was transparency between students and the administration.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Nov. 9, 2016<\/em><\/p>\n In the wake of a contentious U.S. presidential election that stretched until about 2:30 a.m. before being declared for Republican Donald Trump, University President Michael Drake called for reconciliation in a statement issued Wednesday night.<\/p>\n \u201cThis highly contested election has left many in our community bruised and very uncertain,\u201d Drake said. \u201cIt is incumbent upon us all to rebuild the sense of inclusion and support that has been key to the vibrant and engaged experience that is Ohio State.\u201d<\/p>\n In a shock to many pollsters, pundits and members of the media, Trump beat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in what many expected to be a blowout to end a contentious and volatile race. Drake urged community members to embrace a positive outlook, regardless of which candidate they voted for.<\/p>\n \u201cI am reminded that when approaching seasons of time and change, it is important to consider and focus on our values \u2014 particularly respect, integrity and compassion,\u201d he said. \u201cAs a university, we exist to create knowledge, explore ideas and welcome diverse opinions in an atmosphere that is open, collegial and safe for each of us.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> One week after an attack which left 11 people in the hospital and the attacker shot dead, a group of protesters came to Ohio State, quietly walking through campus with guns strapped across their chests.<\/p>\n The protesters were in favor of Ohio House Bill 48, pending legislation which could allow for concealed carry on public college campuses in Ohio, among other places where concealed carry is currently restricted. The bill wouldn\u2019t allow concealed carry outright, but would allow colleges to opt in. University President Michael Drake recently spoke out against the bill during a segment on WOSU.<\/p>\n The timing of protest, referred to as \u201ca walk,\u201d just after the attack, was intentional, said Jeffry Smith, the organizer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe purpose of these walks, in general, is to advocate for conceal and carry \u2026 legal conceal carrying in Ohio,\u201d he said. \u201cSecondarily, to engage in dialogue with people about firearms rights and privileges.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Merrill Kaplan, a professor in the English and Germanic departments discusses gun rights with openly carrying protesters on campus on Dec. 5, 2016. Students and faculty gather in University President Drake\u2019s office on Dec. 7, 2016. \"The OSU administration still thinks it is appropriate to 1) allow these large guns on campus in broad daylight and 2) not warn the OSU community at large that they would be right outside academic buildings. Moreover, the administration allowed this to occur just a week after members of this community thought a shooter was attacking the campus. At best, the message that OSU is sending about the use of guns on campus is confusing.\" Read more..<\/a>.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \"What should I tell students and peers of color, LGBT, immigrants and refugees, students of so many religions and beliefs and backgrounds, when they are victims of hate crimes on campus? Do I tell them, 'Don\u2019t worry, there are white people with guns everywhere?'\"\u00a0Read more...<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \"During your administration, I have seen far more active police presence for small groups of unarmed, non-violent protestors calling for racial justice than for these 15 heavily armed men.\"\u00a0Read more...<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> March 10, 2017<\/em><\/p>\n University President Michael Drake appeared on WOSU\u2019s \u201cAll Sides with Ann Fisher\u201d on Thursday, March 8. While on-air, he discussed the university\u2019s push for energy privatization, allegations of research fraud placed against OSU researcher Carlo Croce, the trademarking of The Oval and the potential effects the newest travel ban could have on students.<\/p>\n OSU is in the process of narrowing down applicants working for a deal with the university to control the heating and cooling of class buildings for 50 years. Addressing those skeptical of the length of the deal, and loss of transparency once a private partner takes the reigns, Drake said that the privatization is necessary to reduce the campus\u2019s carbon emissions and energy footprint.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to have a partner we can work with to help us do a better job of that over time so a big part of this plan, a big part of what we will be evaluating over the next couple of months is whether or not working with a partner will help us achieve our sustainability goals,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s a very important part of this. We would want to achieve our sustainability goals, period.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Oct. 20, 2017<\/em><\/p>\n Ohio State University President Michael Drake joined nearly 800 other university presidents Thursday in signing a letter to Congress urging it to take action and permanently protect students enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.<\/p>\n The letter was addressed to the majority and minority leaders in both the House and Senate and called on legislators to \u201ctake the action that President [Donald] Trump requested when he rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.\u201d<\/p>\n DACA is an Obama era policy which protects undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children with their parents from deportation. Feb. 14, 2018<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>Michael Drake set to receive more than $1M annually as Ohio State president<\/h4>\n
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Credit: Mark Batke | Former Photo Editor<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>Dr. Michael Drake begins first day as Ohio State\u2019s 15th president<\/h4>\n
Jonathan Waters\u2019 firing not the first under President Michael Drake to draw negative feedback<\/h4>\n
Michael Drake: \u2018I really support a collegiate model\u2019 for compensating student-athletes<\/h4>\n
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Credit: Jon McAllister | Former Asst. Photo Editor<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n
Drake stresses community engagement, diversity at investiture<\/h4>\n
President Drake's affordability plan proposes to freeze in-state, increase out-of-state tuition<\/h4>\n
Opinion: President Michael Drake should ban university-funded travel to Indiana<\/h4>\n
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Credit: Alexa Mavrogianis | Former Photo Editor<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>Drake announces $20 million in affordability grants during University Address<\/h4>\n
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Credit: Nick Roll | Former Campus Editor<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>Drake responds to SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action<\/h4>\n
Drake discusses communication, traditions in editorial board meeting<\/h4>\n
Drake calls for the rebuilding 'of inclusion and support' after election<\/h4>\n
Dec. 5, 2016<\/em> \u2014 Open-carrying protesters walk through campus to campaign for gun rights<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Credit: Nick Roll | Former Campus Editor<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_3161-1024x578-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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Credit: Nick Roll | Former Campus Editor<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>Open letters about the open-carry protest sent to President Drake and university administration:<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Drake says energy privatization won\u2019t happen unless standards are met<\/h4>\n
President Drake signs letter urging Congress to permanently protect DACA recipients<\/h4>\n
\u201cColleges and universities have seen these remarkable people up close, in our classrooms and as our colleagues and friends,\u201d the letter said. \u201cDespite the challenges they face, they have made incredible contributions to our country and its economy and security. They should continue to be able to do so.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>Drake details IFC suspension, discusses national climate surrounding hazing culture<\/a><\/h3>\n
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