SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California, Berkeley, announced Friday that Claude Steele, the university’s executive vice chancellor and provost for the past two years, resigned his administrative positions for personal reasons.

Mr. Steele’s abrupt departure comes at a time of turmoil for the university, as he and other top administrators have been criticized for their handling of a widening sexual harassment scandal.

Dan Mogulof, a spokesman for the university, said an interim successor for Mr. Steele would be named in the coming days.

In a statement released by the university, Mr. Steele said his wife faced “quite significant” health problems and that he needed to spend more time with her.