SYDNEY, N.S. -- The president of Cape Breton University has been placed on a paid leave of absence while officials investigate a governance issue.
In a statement Tuesday, the school's board of governors said David Wheeler would step aside indefinitely while an independent investigation looks into unspecified governance matters.
Board chairman Ambrose White offered no details on the nature of the probe, adding only that the board has appointed academic vice-president Dale Keefe as acting president.
"The board of governors takes this duty very seriously and did not make these decisions lightly," White said. "I am confident these decisions are in the best interest of the university."
White said the investigation is expected to be done within the next month.
In a separate statement Tuesday, Wheeler's lawyer referred to an investigation into his conduct during recent labour negotiations at the university, saying the probe would show the president acted in a way "that was consistent with his oath of office, board of governors policies and bylaws."
Raymond Larkin said Wheeler believes faculty should have levels of job security similar to comparable institutions and will continue to advocate that a tentative collective agreement be ratified. He also said Wheeler maintains the position that the faculty and administration should have close ties.
"He holds firm to his belief that without those closer relations and the resulting higher levels of trust, the future of the university will be bleak indeed," Larkin said in the statement, adding that Wheeler will co-operate with a "fair and independent inquiry."
"He stands by his actions and will continue to advocate ratification of the tentative collective agreement if he is permitted to remain in office."
Wheeler served as an executive with the cosmetics firm, The Body Shop International, before taking on a long list of academic appointments. He was most recently the vice-chancellor sustainability and executive dean of business at the University of Plymouth, U.K. He has also held posts at Dalhousie University in Halifax and York University in Toronto, according to his biography on the Cape Breton University website.
