UW-Whitewater chancellor on leave, complaint investigated

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been placed on paid leave while a complaint against him is investigated.

A statement from UW System President Tommy Thompson did not disclose the nature of the complaint against Dwight Watson.

Thompson said university officials will have no further comment on the personnel matter right now. UW-Whitewater Provost Greg Cook will lead the university until the complaint is resolved, Thompson said.

UW System spokesman Mark Pitsch declined to comment on the complaint.

Watson was named chancellor of the Whitewater campus in May of 2019. He was previously Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Southwest Minnesota State University.

At the time of his hiring, UW System President Ray Cross described Watson as an accomplished faculty member.

“He is approachable and authentic, and his references repeatedly described his leadership style as collaborative and engaging,” Cross said.

UW-Whitewater serves more than 13,000 students at its Whitewater and Rock County campuses.