Former UC Davis Vice Provost M.R.C. Greenwood, who up until a week ago served as the UC system's highest-ranking academic officer, retains an option to return to a faculty position at Davis.

But she does not have a faculty appointment at this time, said Lisa Lapin, UC Davis assistant vice chancellor for university communications. She said Greenwood and UC set up her return-to-Davis option at the time she left to become chancellor of UC Santa Cruz in April 1996.

President Robert Dynes announced Nov. 4 that he had accepted Greenwood's resignation as provost, amid an investigation into possible improper hirings and conflict of interest.

"She … indicated that she wishes to resign as provost to return to her academic pursuits in the university," Dynes wrote in a letter, without identifying those pursuits.

Since her resignation, the Davis campus has had no discussions with Greenwood about her intentions, Lapin said.

Greenwood was the first woman to serve as UC provost; Dynes appointed her to the post in February 2004 after she had served for nearly eight years as Santa Cruz chancellor. She worked at UC Davis from 1989 to 1996 as vice provost of academic outreach, dean of graduate studies, and a professor of nutrition in biological science and internal medicine. She specializes in research on the genetic causes of obesity.

Dynes' letter said the investigation centers on two hirings:

• Professor Lynda Goff, hired by Greenwood as a faculty associate and more recently as director of UC's Science and Math Initiative. "It has been disclosed, in the wake of inquiries by the San Francisco Chronicle, that Provost Greenwood and Dr. Goff have, until recently, had jointly owned rental property," Dynes said. "It appears that Provost Greenwood may have been involved in Dr. Goff's hiring to a greater extent than was appropriate, given that her business investment with Dr. Goff had not been properly and fully resolved in accordance with conflict of interest requirements."

Dynes said the investigation "in no way reflects on Dr. Goff, her credentials, or the terms and conditions of her appointment. This involves only the appropriateness of Provost Greenwood's role in her hiring."

• James Greenwood, son of Provost Greenwood, as a paid senior intern in student affairs at UC Merced. Officials said James Greenwood's salary is $45,000 for the one-year internship designed for a mid-career professional. "At question," Dynes said in his letter, "is whether Vice President for Student Affairs Winston Doby acted improperly in any way in helping Mr. Greenwood secure his position. Not at question is any aspect of Mr. Greenwood's performance in the position that he has held since last August at UC Merced."

Dynes' letter stated that Doby has been placed on paid leave. The president named Wyatt R. "Rory" Hume, executive vice provost, and vice president for academic and health affairs, to take on Doby's duties in student affairs, and to serve as acting provost.

"Let me stress there is no presumption of wrongdoing, and that the university expects to complete its review of these matters shortly," Dynes said.

He said Provost Greenwood has cooperated fully with the investigation.

"I have accepted her resignation with respect for the outstanding academic leadership she has provided to the university …" Dynes said.