ECU dental school dean resigns in light of report

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The dean of the new dental school at East Carolina University has resigned following a state auditor’s report questioning travel expenses and income earned from sources outside the school.

ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard announced the resignation of Dr. James R. Hupp on Tuesday. Ballard said Hupp will remain on the faculty.

The report from the State Auditor’s office said there had been “extensive” travel by administrators during the startup for the dental school, including trips to Kiawah Island, S.C., Destin, Fla., and to Germany and Switzerland.

The school said Hupp had taught at UNC-Chapel Hill and did not receive dual employment approval required by the UNC system. Officials also said Hupp edited journals and did not report the outside income to ECU.

Hupp couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday night.