Dr. Ono is set to take on the presidency of a Florida university, following the abrupt departure of Ben Sasse, a former U.S. Senator from Nebraska. The move comes as Dr. Ono’s hiring awaits ratification from both the university’s board and the university system’s board, a step considered largely procedural. He is scheduled to visit the campus on Tuesday, although specific contract terms have yet to be disclosed. Nonetheless, a board committee previously voted to offer him up to $3 million in total cash compensation.
Dr. Ono’s decision to leave the University of Michigan, where he had recently secured a contract extension through 2032—with a base salary increase to $1.3 million—highlights a significant shift. His tenure at Michigan will conclude after less than three years, marking the shortest presidency of any permanent leader at the institution.
Experts, such as James H. Finkelstein from George Mason University, view this transition as particularly significant, suggesting that Dr. Ono could potentially earn the highest salary among public university presidents in the nation. His compensation in Florida may rival what he might have earned at Michigan by the early 2030s.
The context of this leadership change is punctuated by various controversies at Michigan, including the recent firing of a diversity administrator over antisemitic remarks and the handling of a student protest related to the conflict in Gaza, which raised significant discussion on campus.
This shift in leadership brings both challenges and opportunities for the new administration in Florida, particularly in navigating university dynamics and addressing ongoing social issues within the academic environment. As Dr. Ono prepares for his new role, there is an air of anticipation regarding his leadership style and vision for the future of the university.