Washington State University failed to verify references for the new now-former provost

Washington State University President Elson Floyd said the university made a major mistake in not independently checking the references of former Provost Steven Hoch before hiring him. Hoch, meanwhile, says he was the victim of an employment bait-and-switch.

Washington State University President Elson Floyd said Friday that the university made a major mistake by not independently checking Steven Hoch’s references when hiring him for the $300,000-a-year provost’s job.

And Hoch says he was the victim of an employment "bait and switch" — in which he got the title of provost but not the authority he needed.

By Nick Perry

Seattle Times higher education reporter

Full Story: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2008281497_hoch18m.html