C. Lee Turner, well known as the director of the Charles Gilpin Players and coordinator of the theater arts program at Prairie View A&M University, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into certain allegations against him. According to Dr. Danny Kelley, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Turner’s leave began Sept. 1 and the investigation also started at the beginning of the fall 2005 semester.
“He has not been fired, he is on paid administrative leave and he is innocent until proven guilty,” Kelley said.
Kelley, who has administrative responsibilty for the department of music and drama where Turner is employed as a tenured professor, said Turner was removed from the environment where the investigation is taking place to be fair to all concerned, and “the procedure is not unique to Prairie View.” Turner will be away for as long as it takes to complete the investigation.
Kelley said a committee of Turner’s peers consisting of fellow faculty members has been appointed to conduct the investigation, and the committee will present its recommendation to the president and university after hearing all the facts, and after full cooperation from all parties involved.
A temporary faculty member has been hired to teach all of Turner’s scheduled classes this semester.
The dean also said the allegations against Turner will not be discussed at this time, because “it is privileged information and with fairness to Turner and the univesity, the allegations will not be discussed until the university feels it is appropriate.