ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of Central Florida announced Friday that its provost, Dr. Elizabeth Dooley, has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The university said it is looking into “concerns” that have been raised about Dooley.
On the university’s website, Dooley’s job is described as leading academic programs and initiatives across 13 colleges of more than 68,000 students and 3,000 faculty. She also manages the university’s operating budget.
Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. released the following statement:
“Earlier today, I placed provost Elizabeth Dooley on paid administrative leave. She agreed this decision allows her to temporarily step away while we work to fully understand concerns that have been raised, and I appreciate her commitment to cooperate.”
State Rep. Randy Fine, who oversees funding for Florida’s universities, said so far he’s encouraged by the way UCF is handling its latest leadership shakeup, which comes nearly a year after the university’s multi-million dollar misspending scandal.
“Unlike last year where the school sort of tried to make a bunch of excuses when there were problems, it appears that interim President Seymour is actually actively looking into it, trying to get to the bottom of it, and that’s very encouraging,” Fine said.
After Dooley’s leave was announced, Channel 9 discovered an anonymous Twitter account that was posting allegations against Dooley and other school leaders. UCF has still not said what concerns led to her leave.
UCF released a statement regarding the anonymous Twitter account:
“It is unfortunate and disturbing that anyone can launch anonymous attacks at our employees and their families with little regard for the truth. While we take every concern seriously, this is cyberbullying.”
Channel 9 has requested a copy of Dooley’s employee file from UCF. In the meantime, the school has named Vice Provost Jana Jasinski as acting provost.
Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
