UC Davis chancellor steps down, but will still collect a paycheck

By Kris Hooks

Goodbye, Linda Katehi. Hello, Linda Katehi?

On Tuesday, the UC Office of the President announced the resignation of embattled UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi following a months-long investigation into questionable conduct—but she’ll still be on the UCD payroll.

On April 22, UC President Janet Napolitano suspended Katehi for 90 days while an outside firm investigated allegations of misspending student funds, nepotism and Katehi’s role in a strategy to drown out online criticism of the campus. According to Napolitano, the concluded investigation found “numerous instances” where Katehi “exercised poor judgment, and violated multiple University policies.”

“These past three months and the events leading up to them have been an unhappy chapter in the life of UC Davis,” Napolitano said in a statement. “I believe it is in the best interest of the campus, the Davis community, and the University of California that we move forward.”

And yet, Katehi will retain full-time employment as a member of the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as with the Interdisciplinary Program of Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies.

In a statement, Katehi’s lawyer Melinda Guzman claimed her client had been vindicated by the investigation. “Today should end any speculation about what she has been alleged or rumored to have done,” Guzman said.

Meanwhile, Katehi released a five-page letter announcing her resignation and thanking the UCD community. She also lauded the “many accomplishments” the university made during her tenure.

UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi’s Resignation Letter by Kris Hooks on Scribd

Former provost Ralph Hexter will remain interim chancellor as a national search gets underway.

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