Now that a federal judge has sentenced former Ohio State marketing professor Roger Blackwell to six years in prison after his conviction on 19 felony counts including insider trading, conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to government regulators, it is time for OSU to finally make a decision on whether there will be a name change for the Blackwell Inn.

The main focus of the proposed name change has centered around Blackwell’s gift agreement with the university. Blackwell pledged $7.2 million in contributions to secure the naming rights. To date, he has paid more than $1.5 million to the university in compliance with the agreement, and made a deferred estate gift of a minimum of $5 million. But the money is hardly the issue.

In reality, a school as big as OSU, with an annual budget of almost $3.5 billion and an endowment approaching $2 billion, does not need Blackwell’s money.

Although contributions and donations from alumni, former faculty and current Buckeyes are vital to increase more opportunities and resources to students, there are certain situations, such as Blackwell’s, where OSU should make it clear that any money that risks the reputation and credibility of this university cannot be accepted. Is $7.2 million, or any amount of contributions, worth jeopardizing decades of recognition and prestige?

Anyone who makes a contribution or gift to OSU, or has an outstanding teaching and business record, such as Blackwell, is a great example of why this university continues to thrive and attract some of the best students in the country. Understandably, it would be impossible to screen donors and contributors for future unethical or illegal activity.

Honoring university contracts, however, is also an important part of maintaining the credibility and respect of OSU. The university is undoubtedly in a tough spot. This page feels, however, that Blackwell’s gift agreement with the university became void when he was convicted in a federal court for violating the same lessons he taught in an OSU classroom. But the issue is about OSU’s response and preparations for similar situations in the future, more than it is about Blackwell’s guilt or innocence.

Since Blackwell’s conviction in June, 2005, OSU has scrambled to answer questions about the future of the hotel’s name. This page has written repeatedly in favor of a name change. Shelly Hoffman, an OSU spokeswoman, was quoted in an article in yesterday’s Lantern, saying that the issue of the hotel name remains under discussion. With the trial over, and Blackwell heading to jail on Jan. 9, pending appeal of his conviction, OSU needs to make a decision, and secure a coherent policy when similar situations arise in the future.

Blackwell Inn sits on a prime piece of real estate, and is a successful restaurant and hotel. Numerous businesses and individuals would jump at the opportunity, and perhaps already have, to buy out Blackwell’s contract with the university and replace his name with their own. Naming buildings for those who pay for the name, rather than bestowing names as an honor, such as in the case of Bill Hall, can become a tricky situation when ethically questionable situations arise with contributors.

Battling allegations, lawsuits and ethics problems comes with the territory of being a large and well-known school. As such, OSU should end this saga, and soon decide whether to change the Blackwell Inn’s name. In our opinion, Blackwell has violated the trust of this university, and should no longer hold the honor, regardless of his contributions and gifts, of having a building on this historic campus bear his name.