Associated Press - October 6, 2008 4:34 PM ET

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Members of the Washington State University community are openly wondering about the fate of new provost Steven Hoch, who abruptly left his job on Sept. 23.

The university says Hoch requested a paid personal leave after less than two months on the job, and it was immediately granted by President Elson S. Floyd. No reason has been given.

It's unknown if Hoch, who is paid $300,000 per year, will return, and Floyd has declined to provide details about the reasons for his leave.

The most prevalent and believable rumor is that Hoch was let go by Floyd because of  disagreements over the A2P2 course reductions.  In any case, the Hoch story is a major distraction for Floyd right now, as he has already faced much criticism over the course cutbacks, the University District proposal, as well as his recent $125,000 salary increase at a time of a campus-wide hiring freeze and looming budget cuts.