But Lyons called Yates "eminently qualified" for the job and said he didn't "know of anything [Yates] did that was illegal.... I'm not aware of anything he was charged with or prosecuted for. There was nothing to cause me to say, `hands off.'"
Yates said he wants to help JSU's School of Education overcome longstanding problems. He said he isn't bothered by what critics may say about him.
"If this is a problem for Dr. Lyons, I will leave JSU tomorrow," Yates said.
An independent audit cited Southern University officials for misappropriation of student aid in 1996-97, said The Morning Advocate of Baton Rouge.
A Louisiana legislative audit report cited unusual chancellor's awards from state aid amounting to $62,000 during 1995-96, the newspaper said. Some scholarships went to well-connected and undeserving students, the paper said.
However, Southern University officials said Yates had not acted illegally.
Yates is not a candidate to become JSU's permanent education dean. He said he plans to return to Southern University in July 1999.
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