UTSA president resigns, admits to ‘improper’ hugs

SAN ANTONIO — Ricardo Romo announced Friday that he will retire as president of the University of Texas at San Antonio, just two weeks after he was placed on administrative leave during an investigation into his conduct.

“I have been made aware that the manner in which I embraced women made them uncomfortable and was inappropriate,” Romo said in a statement Friday. “I understand and respect Chancellor (William) McRaven’s concerns about my behavior, and I deeply apologize for any conduct that offended anyone.”

Romo called the embraces “abrazos” and indicated that he would have liked to apologize to the women who were offended.

“That I had no improper intent giving or receiving ‘abrazos’ is of no consequence,” he said in a later statement. “If they were thought improper and offensive, then they were, and but for a prohibition in contacting anyone involved, I would have already directly apologized.”

The announcement that Romo was retiring effective immediately instead of in August, as had been announced last year, was made by Steve Leslie, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs for the UT System.

Pedro Reyes, formerly the UT-Austin special assistant to the chancellor, will continue to serve as president until the university finds a replacement. Leslie said the university still plans to hire the next president by fall.

Romo was placed on leave Feb. 14 “pending a review of allegations related to his conduct.” Several sources close to the investigation said the review was related to sexual harassment allegations.