CARBONDALE - Top administrators at Southern Illinois University Carbondale met with faculty and staff leaders Monday morning, informing the group of their decision to place Chancellor Fernando Trevino on administrative leave while a review of his performance is being done.

SIU President Glenn Poshard announced the move earlier this morning, noting it came about because of "serious concerns brought to my attention by campus and community officials" regarding Trevino's assigned duties. Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor Don Rice is picking up the daily administrative duties of the chancellor's office until further notice.

Trevino, the top choice among four finalist in a nationwide search, began his tenure on a three-year contract in July 2007. He was hired from the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth.

Peggy Stockdale, a member of the search committee who helped choose Trevino and current president of the SIUC Faculty Senate, said his credentials were "thoroughly vetted."

"I think there was nothing wrong with the search," Stockdale said. "The question is whether he has the leadership interest or capacity to deal with the responsibilities of the office."

The university's legal staff has asked campus officials not to comment on specific performance issues, Stockdale said.

The faculty senate meets Tuesday and Stockdale said she expects members will have many questions at that time.

Stockdale noted it's important to take things one at a time, as Trevino is on administrative leave, which does not necessarily mean he'll be fired or reassigned.

"The end result may be he'll be put back in that position, so there is nothing we can say on a new search or anything of that measure," she said.

Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole, who also sat on the search committee and has worked with Trevino on several university-city partnerships - including the city's multi-million-dollar commitment to Saluki Way - said he was aware of concerns surrounding the chancellor but is not in a position to comment.