Winona State University says a longtime instructor and Dean of the College of Business was terminated from employment last September following an investigation into alleged inappropriate interaction with male students.
           
WSU President Dr. Scott Olson said the investigation showed Bill Murphy subjected students to-quote, ''highly personal sexually oriented discussions and requests to photograph students in various degrees of dress''-end quote.

Olson said the investigation started immediately in September and Murphy was terminated on September 21st.

Murphy was employed by the university in 1989 and was named Dean of the College of Business in 2007.

JoEll Bjorke has been named as interim Dean of the College of Business and a formal search for a permanent dean has not yet begun.
            
Olson said the investigation was turned over to local law enforcement but there are no pending criminal charges against Murphy.

Winona Deputy Police Chief Tom Williams says his department investigated material found on a computer used by Murphy on the WSU campus but they found nothing that violated state statute.

Olson said the University waited until now to release the information because of Minnesota data privacy laws.

President Olson issued a letter to students expressing deep regret and sadness at this breach of trust. Olson strongly encouraged any student who has experienced sexual harrassment or sexual violence to report the behavior to the university's Affirmative Action office. Olson also made it clear this type of behavior would not be tolerated at WSU.