Provost alleges he was assaulted

PULLMAN – Outgoing Washington State University Provost Steven Hoch contended Wednesday that he was assaulted during a dispute with another campus administrator last month in events that preceded a decision that he would leave his position.

Hoch told the Moscow-Pullman Daily News that Greg Royer, WSU vice president for business and finance, had assaulted him.

Royer did not immediately respond to an Associated Press phone call and e-mail seeking comment. Hoch, who is on paid leave, also did not immediately return a message left at the provost’s office.

Still, Hoch told the newspaper that incident was insignificant compared to another major issue at the university. He declined to elaborate.

The Seattle Times has reported that tensions about Hoch’s role at WSU boiled over into a major argument at a staff meeting, followed by a physical altercation in a hallway.