Steven Schoonover, a top OU donor who previously called for OU officials to “play the race card," apologized for his comments Thursday.
Steven Schoonover, a top Ohio University donor and OU Foundation board member, apologized Thursday for statements he made in an April 2 email suggesting that administrators “play the race card” if students and faculty criticize an agreement to purchase a new presidential residence.
In a letter sent to The Athens NEWS, Schoonover apologized for the comments, writing that his “off the cuff” statements were not intended to be serious and don’t reflect his actual feelings toward OU students and faculty.
“After reflecting on those comments, I know now that they were hurtful to faculty, students and others affiliated with the university,” Schoonover said. “I can assure you it was unintentional, but for that I am truly sorry. I want to sincerely offer my apologies to anyone who was affected.”
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In the letter, Schoonover said he thought the email was private and said his “race card” comment was a criticism of how things are handled at “other places” rather than at OU.
Schoonover sent the April email to OU administrators and OU Foundation executive committee members following student and faculty criticism of the university’s March 19 decision to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for a new presidential residence at 31 Coventry Lane.
In the email, obtained through a public records request, he suggested that OU officials handle criticism “the same way Democrats do every time they attack President Obama...they label them racists!”
Schoonover has not returned multiple requests for comment from The Post.
Students and faculty reacted negatively to Schoonover’s email, prompting the Ohio University Student Union to create a petition calling for Schoonover to resign, which had gathered around 300 signatures as of Friday.
The Student Union also picketed the Schoonover Center for Communication on Friday in protest of Schoonover’s comments and subsequent apology. The center, which houses the Scripps College of Communication, was named for Schoonover after he gave OU $7.5 million for its construction in 2007.
Ryan Powers, a Student Union member and junior studying philosophy, participated in the event and said the protesters’ message was that Schoonover’s apology was “not enough” and he still needs to step down.
OU President Roderick McDavis released a statement responding to Schoonover’s apology.
“We respect our faculty and students who have expressed their opinions on this issue, and we know that Mr. Schoonover does as well,” McDavis said in the statement. “He has provided a thoughtful, heartfelt and genuine response regarding comments he made several months ago. It is time to move forward and demonstrate grace in accepting his apology.”
Dean of the Scripps College of Communication Scott Titsworth also said he appreciated Schoonover’s apology.
“His pledge to carefully listen to all sides of a debate is an essential commitment that we should all have as we engage in dialogue about the future of our university,” Titsworth said. “I now look forward to celebrating the many successes we have achieved, including a state-of-the-art facility supporting the study of communication at Ohio University, of which Mr. Schoonover has been a vital supporter.”
Powers disagreed about Schoonover’s apology, saying that the debate surrounding the email “is not going to end.”
“My original reaction was that (the apology) was inadequate and an obvious ploy to shut down any further discussion, and I think we’ve seen the real side of the Foundation and Schoonover,” Powers said. “He has created a toxic environment that is not good for a community of learning. For the good of the Bobcat community, he needs to step down.”
Powers said he thought the Friday protest was effective, in part because of conversations with prospective students visiting the university about the controversy.
Schoonover, a 1967 OU graduate, has been an OU Foundation trustee since 2000 and secretary of the foundation’s board since 2006, according to OU’s website.
–Megan Henry contributed to this report.
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