The Santa Ono Mascot was created to star in the recreation of the Welcome Video, and was initially allowed to wander on campus, mimicking the gestures of the new president—offering selfies and giving high-fives.

At a university where authoritarian leadership styles are replacing shared governance, it was an unusual and liberating circumstance to be in charge of the president’s image via the Mascot. In October 2021, Jon Vaughn, a survivor of abuse at the hand’s of Dr. Robert Anderson, camped outside then U-M President’s House for 100 days, awaiting an apology or handshake from then-President Schlissel that never came. In November 2023, the Santa Ono Mascot joined OSU survivors of Dr. Strauss and U-M survivors of Anderson to rally for justice during the UM-OSU football game.