Embattled Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle has been put on paid leave.
The school’s board of trustees put Dobelle on paid administrative leave and hired a Boston law firm to investigate allegations the university president violated policies with lavish spending on travel and entertainment. The actions were announced early this morning by board chairman John Flynn at the end of a closed meeting that lasted more than ten hours.
Pressure was mounting on the trustees to take action in the Dobelle controversy. The state’s higher education commissioner has been highly critical of Dobelle’s spending. Also on Wednesday the Westfield State faculty union voted no confidence in Dobelle by a two to one margin. Dobelle’s attorney said he is contemplating legal action.
