I’ve finally gotten a chance to sit down and do some reading about our new upcoming president, Gordon Gee. Already he seems fairly popular among current students, despite leaving his position as OSU’s 11th president over 10 years ago. Yes, I’ve read great things about this man, from his charismatic and passionate personality to his excellent fundraising abilities. But some of my reading has brought about some questions, as I am a big believer in questioning leadership when one is unsure, as opposed to blindly following in ignorance.

Just two weeks after Gee’s insistent denials that he would ever leave his last job, Gee took the job as OSU, leaving his position at the private Vanderbilt University. There his salary was around $1.2 million. Now he’s coming to a public university, which seems like an odd career move to me, like a step down, but maybe he feels he’s better fit for the politics of a public school. His salary here? Reported to be around $1 million. Of course, according to USA Today, Jim Tressel makes over $2 million, but that’s a whole other frustrating issue in public universities. What I’m wondering...is $1 million a “going rate� for public university presidents these days, or is Gordon Gee specifically just worth that much to The Ohio State University? Would any other OSU president have gotten this, or were we just trying to attract Gee away from his high paying position at Vanderbilt? And are the faculty salaries rising as well?

I’ve also been reading many comments particularly from Brown University alum, where Gee served as president for 2 years, which comment on his similar actions when leaving Brown. From what I’ve gathered, as he was in negotiations with Vanderbilt, board members at Brown said he could either resign or no longer continue negotiations. He agreed to cut off communication, but obviously did not. Many thought this raised a negative light upon his integrity.

Of course I do not mean any disrespect, I’ve just read many conflicting views, and I plan to read more, as I still don’t feel I am as informed as I could be. This is my understanding (or lack there of), as I anxiously await whatever changes will be taking place at The Ohio State University.