DETROIT (AP) - The chief academic officer at the University of Michigan has been placed on paid leave during an investigation of sexual misconduct allegations, the president said Wednesday.
Martin Philbert is provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
“We take allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously, and our policy is clear: Sexual misconduct will not be tolerated in the University of Michigan community,” President Mark Schlissel said in a written statement.
Schlissel said Philbert was placed on leave Tuesday, less than a week after the university received “several allegations” of sexual misconduct. Spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the complaints don’t involve students.
“It remains early in the investigation, and no findings or conclusions have been reached. We thank the individuals who have come forward with these allegations. We know that reporting requires courage,” Schlissel said.
An email seeking comment was sent to Philbert.
He joined the university in 1995 as a toxicology professor and eventually became dean of the School of Public Health. Philbert was appointed provost in 2017 and is paid $570,000 a year.
Schlissel said he has informed members of the university’s Board of Regents and has their “full support.”
“Today is a sad day for the University,” Regent Jordan Acker said on Twitter.
Kailan Mehta, a senior from Clarkston, said the university is taking the right steps.
“I am also glad it was publicized and something was sent out. It might bring forward others,” Mehta told The Detroit News.
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