KNOXVILLE — Dr. Peter J. Alfonso, associate vice president for research at the University of Tennessee, resigned Thursday, Acting UT President Emerson H. Fly has announced.
Alfonso, who was placed on administrative leave on Friday, Jan. 18, was the subject of an internal investigation for misuse of university computing equipment.
Routine maintenance on Alfonso-s university computer indicated the presence of pornographic materials. UT Vice President Dwayne McCay requested an investigation by UT-s Office of Internal Audit and subsequently placed Alfonso on administrative leave. The investigation showed visits to web sites labeled as pornographic.
Alfonso came to UT in April 2001 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he served as chief research officer.
“We will appoint an interim chief research officer soon to ensure the expansion of our research initiative,” Fly said.