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UC Davis Head Removed From Post During Investigation

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In this Nov. 18, 2011, file photo, University of California, Davis Police Lt. John Pike uses pepper spray to move Occupy UC Davis protesters while blocking their exit from the school's quad in Davis, Calif. The school reportedly paid image consultants at least $175,000 to try to clean up the online image of the university after the incident.
In this Nov. 18, 2011, file photo, University of California, Davis Police Lt. John Pike uses pepper spray to move Occupy UC Davis protesters while blocking their exit from the school's quad in Davis, Calif. The school reportedly paid image consultants at least $175,000 to try to clean up the online image of the university after the incident.Wayne Tilcock—The Enterprise/AP
By Justin Worland

The chancellor of the University of California, Davis has been placed on leave during an investigation over her use of school funds to remove negative references to the university from the internet, according to reports.

New of the investigation into the conduct of Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi comes just weeks after a Sacramento Bee report revealed that the school paid public relations consultants at least $175,000 to remove images from Google of police pepper spraying student protesters.

Katehi also faces an investigation into whether she improperly used her position to provide employment to family members, according to a letter from the University of California’s system president Janet Napolitano.

“I am deeply disappointed to have to take this action,” Napolitano wrote in the letter. “However, it is both necessary and appropriate to address these matters in a fair, independent, and transparent manner.”

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Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com