Cape Breton University president put on paid leave while governance issue probed

The president of Cape Breton University has been placed on a paid leave of absence while officials investigate a governance issue.

In a statement today, 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.

White said the investigation is expected to be done within the next month.

In a separate statement, 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 says 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.

Wheeler has a long list of academic appointments and was also an executive with the cosmetics firm, The Body Shop International.