Questions swirl as Texas Southern University president placed on paid leave

Austin Lane, president of Texas Southern University, speaks about a $2.7 million gift from the Center for Advancing Opportunity to Texas Southern University to start the Center for Justice Research, during a press conference at Texas Southern University, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, in Houston. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) less Austin Lane, president of Texas Southern University, speaks about a $2.7 million gift from the Center for Advancing Opportunity to Texas Southern University to start the Center for Justice Research, during a ... more Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Questions swirl as Texas Southern University president placed on paid leave 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

The president of Texas Southern University has been placed on administrative leave, the school’s Board of Regents announced Friday.

Austin A. Lane was put on leave with pay, according the the university. An announcement released by the board did not identify a reason for Lane’s leave.

The board appointed the school’s CFO Kenneth Huewitt as interim president.

“The Board is committed to ensuring all activities at the University are conducted in an ethical and transparent manner in accordance with the University’s mission, vision and values,” reads a statement issued by the board. “The University will have no further comment at this time.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for more details later.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com