Once again, the State of Ohio and our capital city are taking center stage in a hot-button political scandal. This time, however, the fallout has reached campus and is tarnishing our school’s reputation.
Brian Hicks, a member of The Ohio State Board of Trustees and political appointee of Governor Bob Taft (his former boss) was convicted last week of a first-degree misdemeanor for ethics violations. The crime? Vacationing in con-man Tom Noe’s plush Florida Keys residence while duping the system and paying far-below the listed market value for such stays — while he was the Governor’s Chief of Staff.
While Tom Noe was busy stealing millions of dollars from Ohio taxpayers, our board member, Mr. Hicks, found time to vacation at Noe’s home for a cut-rate deal, all the while misleading others on his ethics form disclosures. His $1,000 fine does not go nearly far enough in punishment.
This is unnacceptable behavior for such a high-ranking representative of The Ohio State University. How can administrators, instructors, and staff honestly look one more student in the face and tell them “cheating is wrong and will not be tolerated?”
Governor Taft and school officials should take every step necessary to remove Brian Hicks from the Board of Trustees, immediately. Anything less shortchanges the accomplishments of every Ohio State student – past, present, and future.
Noah LittonClass of 2005
