Timothy Flanagan, Illinois State University President, tendered his resignation at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees amid an ongoing assault investigation. Flanagan's resignation comes just after seven months into the job.
"I appreciate the experience of working with the students, faculty, staff and alumni of Illinois State, but, after discussion with the board, I have decided it would be best that I pursue other opportunities," Flanagan said in a statement.
Michael McCuskey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, thanked Flanagan for his service and wished him the best in future endeavours.
Authorities are investigating a police complaint that accuses Flanagan of assaulting a former campus employee during an argument about lawn maintenance at his university-owned residence Dec. 5, 2013.
R. Patrick Murphy, then-superintendent of grounds, claimed that Flanagan spit on his face and clothes, hit him and shouted obscenities at him in the front yard, according to a police report, Arizona Daily Star reports.
"He cuts loose on me. I've never seen such a thing happen. I was shocked," Murphy told the Chicago Sun Times.
Murphy was fired five days after the incident and is now seeking reinstatement.
ISU police Capt. Nichol Bleichner said that Flanagan is not facing a charge or arrest. Flanagan claims that the complaint was filed in an attempt to humiliate him and the university. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Jay Groves, university spokesman, said that Flanagan is receiving a severance package worth $480,418. The school officials haven't disclosed the reason for Flanagan's resignation.
Larry Dietz, Vice President for Student Affairs, has been named Flanagan's successor and the school's 19th president.
"I want to thank Chairman Michael McCuskey and each of the board members for their vote of confidence in me," Dietz said in a statement. "I will continue to rely on my colleagues in this new role to do the work outlined in Educating Illinois, our strategic plan."
Flanagan joined ISU August 15, 2013 after serving as the president of Framingham State University in Massachusetts. He replaced Al Bowman, who stepped down after a decade. Flanagan was offered a three-year contract that included an annual salary of $350,000 and benefits.
