Interim president is announced for UT Arlington in wake of former leader’s resignation
The University of Texas System’s chancellor announced on Saturday that Teik Lim had become the interim president of UT Arlington as the search for a permanent successor to its blemished former leader was paused because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lim has been UT Arlington’s administrator in charge since March 19, when President Vistasp Karbhari resigned. Karbhari’s departure came after the UT System publicly released an audit detailing alleged misdeeds related to online course enrollment at UT Arlington. Karbhari also left soon after faculty and staff members told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he had created a culture of bullying and retaliation.
Lim’s interim role is effective immediately, Chancellor James Milliken wrote in a statement.
Lim has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at UT Arlington since 2017. He is also a professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department.
“Dr. Lim is an accomplished and experienced academic administrator, and I’ve already been impressed with how he has provided guidance to the UT Arlington community as it responds to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic,” Milliken wrote. “He has worked collaboratively with faculty as they educate students, and he’s managing the university’s day-to-day operations well. I have every confidence the university will continue to benefit from his leadership as interim president.”
Written last year, the audit alleges that UT Arlington senior officials used a “Direct Admit” program for online classes to grow enrollment, violating UT System and state codes. It also alleged that Karbhari solicited donations from the vendor, which was paid at least $178 million, and its founder, and that UT Arlington officials allowed the vendor’s staff to provide input on the admissions process.
In a letter to the chief audit executive of the UT System, Karbhari denied all of the allegations raised in the audit.
This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 9:34 PM.
