Temp U.Va. head on hold in case president returns

Temp U.Va. head on hold in case president returns

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The possible return of the University of Virginia’s ousted president has prompted her interim successor to say he’ll wait before starting the job.

Carl Zeithami said today he is suspending plans to take over as interim president Aug. 15 pending a meeting Tuesday by the university’s governing board.

The Board of Visitors says it will consider whether to reinstate President Teresa Sullivan, whose abrupt firing by the board this month triggered widespread protests. Board members have said they were unhappy with Sullivan’s progress on financial and other issues.

Zeithami said in a statement that he’s grateful for the board’s trust in him.

But he says there’s a groundswell of support for Sullivan’s reinstatement and trust can’t be restored in the university community until her status is resolved.