UMUC President Placed On Leave

ADELPHI, Md. (AP) -- The president of the University of Maryland University College has been placed on indefinite leave, without explanation.

The chancellor of the state university system announced Susan Aldridge's leave in a short letter sent Wednesday to UMUC students and staff. A university system spokeswoman declined to elaborate on the reasons for Aldridge's leave.

UMUC is the largest public university in the United States, with more than 90,000 students. More than half are military service members, veterans and their families. Many live overseas and take classes online, although the university also offers face-to-face instruction.

Aldridge, 60, has been president of the university since 2006 and has written and spoken widely on adult and distance education.

UMUC spokesman Chip Cassano says Aldridge's leave "came as a complete surprise to the university community."

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)