COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Students at Ohio State University are returning to campus to learn that while they were away on summer break, OSU’s trustees gave outgoing president Karen Holbrook a $250,000 bonus.

Sid Seavers, a student from Miamisburg, said he was shocked to learn of the bonus.

“I feel like that could help pay for a lot of under-funded kids who really cannot afford to come here. They could have saved that for us,” Seavers said.

Holbrook had been president since 2002 and was awarded the bonus for doing a good job.

Student body president Kate Christobek said overall reaction among students who knew about the bonus has been mixed.

“You are going to find some students who think that President Holbrook did an amazing job while she was on campus. They feel the bonus was justified. Then you will find students who have different priorities,” Christobek said.

David Hansen, president of the Buckeye Institute, a Columbus-based public policy organization, has been tracking questionable spending on college campuses.

Hansen said the OSU bonus could be viewed in the same light as other recent expenditures.

“This example with the OSU bonus, or the Kent State University having two presidents at the same time, what company does that? Also, Ohio University, where the spouse gets paid to attend parties and conferences. Most spouses in this state have to find their own jobs,” Hansen said.

The OSU trustees are expected to formally adopt a resolution to make the bonus to Holbrook formal at its September meeting.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com