OSU trustees take step toward settling Strauss suits
Ohio State trustees passed a resolution Thursday to allow the university to expedite a settlement with plaintiffs who said they were sexually abused by former university physician Richard Strauss.
The resolution, passed unanimously, authorizes board chairman Gary R. Heminger to act on the board’s behalf to approve a settlement and related matters with the Strauss plaintiffs. Strauss is deceased.
The move hints that a settlement with some plaintiffs could be near and that an agreement could be reached before the board’s next scheduled meeting in early June.
The board “recognizes the significance of the Strauss matter” and “wants the university to be in a position to expedite the execution of a settlement if a resolution has been agreed to in principle,” board materials said.
Investigators hired by Ohio State concluded last year that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 students between 1979 and his retirement in 1998 and that university personnel repeatedly failed to act. Lawsuits against the university indicate that the number of victims is much higher. To date, there have been at least 17 lawsuits filed against the university on behalf of about 350 plaintiffs.
The cases were first referred to mediation more than a year ago. After disagreement between the parties over a mediator, federal judge Michael H. Watson of U.S. District Court in Columbus assigned Senior Judge Michael R. Barrett in midMarch to lead the mediation.
Earlier this week, attorneys representing about 170 plaintiffs in four of the lawsuits against Ohio State wrote to Watson that mediation had “run its course” and asked for litigation to continue.
But no such request has been made from the other nearly 180 plaintiffs who are suing the university.
Ohio State officials have repeatedly said the university remains engaged in the mediation process and is committed to a monetary resolution.
“Ohio State reiterates its deep regret and apologies to all who Strauss abused, and the university remains actively committed to a resolution with the plaintiffs, including a monetary resolution, as well as creating future opportunities for survivors to be heard once the litigation is resolved,” Thursday’s board resolution said.
In the nearly two years since the allegations against Strauss and subsequent investigation were announced, victims of the doctor have formally addressed the board twice, describing the abuse they suffered and the anger they felt at the university’s lack of action, and urging Ohio State to “do the right thing.”
Meanwhile, hearings resumed this month on an Ohio House bill that would lift the statute of limitations — the deadline for filing such lawsuits — to give victims the opportunity to sue Ohio State. Before Ohio State and the plaintiffs entered mediation, the university had sought to dismiss the suits, arguing the statute of limitations prevents it from being held liable.
Also at Thursday’s meetings, trustees approved:
■ A contract update for President Michael V. Drake that will pay him his current salary of $892,000 for another year as he moves into a president emeritus role following his retirement. After a year in the post-presidency role, Drake will be a distinguished university professor and be paid nearly $67,000 per month for up to nine months, totaling up to about $600,000 per year.
■ A three-year contract extension with head football coach Ryan Day. The agreement keeps Day under contract through 2026 and pays him $5.4 million next season, along with a onetime $1 million contribution toward his retirement plan on Dec. 31.
■ Adjustments to Ohio State men’s basketball season-ticket packages for next season, to include a potential game at St. John Arena. Other ticket prices remain similar to previous seasons, using variable prices depending on the opponent.
■ $225.5 million for design services and construction of a new interdisciplinary research facility planned for the university’s “innovation district” on West Campus.
■ $15.6 million toward infrastructure work to support West Campus development, including adding vehicle lanes, modified intersection signals, parking lots, internal access roads and extensions of sanitary sewer, stormwater and water service.
■ Nearly $150 million for a planned outpatient care center in Dublin.
■ More than $130 million for an outpatient care center.