A former Rutgers University official given a $480,000 one-year sabbatical to refresh and refocus before returning to teach at the university will instead take the money and never turn back.

Debasish “Deba” Dutta, the former chancellor of Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus, was hired June 20 as the new chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, according to the university.

Dutta, a veteran college administrator, worked at Rutgers for just one year before abruptly stepping down last summer, saying his views for the position didn’t align with the university’s. He was given a $480,000 sabbatical even though his contract stipulated he would have needed to work at Rutgers for five years to earn it.

The payout was ripped by the faculty union, which suggested Dutta was asked to leave, and blasted by state lawmakers who were concerned about wasted taxpayer money.

At the time, Rutgers indicated Dutta was expected to return as a professor. But he’s now gone and will get to keep the money, according to Rutgers.

“We congratulate Dr. Dutta on his appointment as chancellor of University of Michigan-Flint and wish him well in his new role,” Rutgers spokeswoman Dory Devlin said.

It’s remains unclear exactly what caused the rift between Dutta and university President Robert Barchi.

Barchi heralded Dutta’s “impeccable academic credentials” when he hired him from Purdue University, and Dutta laid out plans to improve Rutgers’ standing in college rankings while maintaining a visible presence at campus events.

But the university later characterized the resignation as a mutual agreement, with a spokesman for Barchi describing Dutta as "not a good fit.”

Dutta was replaced as chancellor by Christopher Molloy, a longtime Rutgers official.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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