ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source – University of Michigan President Santa Ono is stepping down and moving on to the University of Florida.

“A distinct honor.”

Ono’s announcement came on Sunday afternoon. He plans to assume his new role later this summer and be involved in the transition to new leadership at U of M before leaving.

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Ono penned a letter announcing his resignation, saying “Serving as your president over these past three academic years has been a distinct honor. Every day, I have been inspired beyond words by the vibrancy, brilliance, and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I will miss the extraordinary intellectual vitality that fills our classrooms and laboratories, the sublime sounds of our musical and theatrical performances, and the roar of fans cheering on the Wolverines — or singing ‘Mr. Brightside’ together in joyful unity,” Ono wrote.

In addition, the U of M Board of Regents published a message to the Wolverine community regarding Ono’s departure. It said, in part, “We write today to acknowledge President Ono’s leadership and thank him for his significant contributions. Over the course of his tenure, he has encouraged all of us to dream boldly, to fearlessly explore ideas, to push the boundaries of knowledge and to be daring in our plans so that we could achieve more than we ever thought was possible.”

Problems on campus.

Ono’s upcoming departure comes amid ongoing campus unrest over the Israel-Hamas war and antisemitic vandalism targeting Board of Regents members and their homes. Palestinian sympathizers have continued to ask U of M and other Michigan schools to divest from Israel.

In addition, Ono oversaw the dismantling of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) during this winter and spring at the behest of the Trump administration. President Donald Trump ordered that schools end their DEI efforts or lose federal funding.