WSU: Hoch won't return as provost

Steven Hoch, who started a new job as Washington State University provost Aug. 1, then took a paid personal leave beginning Sept. 23, won't return as provost, WSU President Elson Floyd said Friday.

Instead, Hoch, who has a tenured professorship with the university, will be a history professor as of Nov. 1 - at an annual salary of about $245,000.

After discussions with members of the university administration and senior faculty, Floyd said in a statement that he decided it was not in the best interest of WSU that Hoch return as provost.

The president offered no details. The statement said Floyd and Hoch discussed the change Friday.

Asked about the reasons for Hoch's leave, Tim Pavish, WSU vice president for university relations, said he couldn't comment because two public records requests on the topic were being processed.

Pavish said the university expected to release those records, requested by The Seattle Times and the WSU student newspaper The Daily Evergreen, on Oct. 22.

WSU's statement said Hoch's position as provost will end Oct. 31, with his professor role beginning the next day.

"He's been a history scholar his whole career," Pavish said.

Hoch came to WSU from the University of Kentucky, where he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. During his leave, he returned to his Lexington, Ky., home. His family stayed in Kentucky so that his son could finish his senior year at high school, The Times has reported.

"There will be a point in time when all the issues are resolved, and when I will try to get out my side of the story," Hoch told The Times on Friday. He declined further comment on the events leading up to his leave.

But he added, "I look forward to teaching again. I haven't taught in nine years, but I've always loved teaching."

Hoch's abrupt departure has been a hot topic on the Pullman campus. Agriculture Professor John Fellman said earlier this week that rumors about the reasons behind the leave were widespread.

Hoch's salary as provost was $300,000 a year. Pavish said WSU Faculty Senate policy calls for an administrator who returns to the faculty to be paid 9/11th of his administrative salary, or just over $245,000 in this case. Pavish said he didn't have a figure for what a typical full history professor would be paid.

Warwick Bayly, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, has been acting provost and has agreed to continue in that role for at least two years, WSU said.

"I very much appreciate Dr. Bayly's willingness to take on the responsibilities as provost at this time. He knows the university well, and I am very confident that he will oversee a seamless transition and provide stability and strength in his new post as the academic leader at WSU," Floyd said.

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