Mississippi’s College Board has asked the state commissioner of higher education, Thomas C. Meredith, to step aside while the state auditor investigates accusations that employees of Mississippi State University did landscaping work at his residence in Jackson, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported today.

The board made its decision this morning at a special meeting.

According to an article in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger this morning, Mississippi State’s interim president, Vance Watson, is accused of providing the workers.

Mr. Watson issued a statement on Friday saying he wanted to appear before the board to defend himself against “the vicious public attacks being made on my personal credibility by certain individuals.”

A search is under way for a permanent president for Mississippi State, a job that the Clarion-Ledger says Mr. Watson would like to have.

In his statement, Mr. Watson said he was concerned that “the presidential search at MSU is being influenced by those who appear intent on discrediting him and the values he represents.” —Don Troop