UBC writing program suspends acclaimed novelist, cites ‘serious allegations’

VANCOUVER – An acclaimed Canadian novelist has been suspended from his job as chairman of the creative writing program at the University of British Columbia.

A statement on a UBC website announced Steven Galloway was temporary suspended with pay after “serious allegations” against him.

Galloway is the author of three novels, including “The Confabulist” and “The Cellist of Sarajevo” and was nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Dean of UBC Arts Gage Averill says an investigation has not yet begun and no findings have been made of wrongdoing.

Galloway did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on Wednesday.

Averill declined during an interview to describe the allegations or identify the number of complainants, saying he wants to protect the “integrity of the investigation.”

“We will be securing an investigator imminently …, certainly within the next few days.”

“It’s my intent to move this forward as quickly as possible. We don’t like having these things hanging over a program or the individuals concerned.”