CARBONDALE - The Ulysses S. Grant Association, which has housed a collection of nationally-known papers since 1964 under the care of late professor John Y. Simon at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is severing ties with the campus, citing the treatment Simon received from officials on sexual harassment allegations in the last months of his life.

Frank Williams, Grant association president and chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, told a crowd of people gathered for a memorial service to Simon Sunday what happened to Simon "never needed to happen" but "will never be forgotten."

Simon was fired and barred from entering campus months before his death in July over allegations he sexually harassed fellow employees. Specifics of the charges were never given to Simon or the SIUC Faculty Association, which fought to restore Simon as a faculty member.

Williams said the process of the association breaking away from SIUC would be an ongoing legal matter.

SIUC spokesman Rod Sievers indicated officials would like to see the association remain on campus but was uncertain whether it could be accomplished.