ABC reported that Yale, not the New Haven police, was the first to publicly target Van de Velde as a suspect. Yale cancelled Van de Welde's two spring classes last term.

In a statement several weeks after Jovin's death, Acting Director of Public Affairs Thomas Conroy cited concern about distractions created by the murder investigation.

"Under these circumstances, it is inevitable that his classroom presence would be accompanied by continuing speculation about events outside the classroom that would constitute a major distraction for students and impair their educational experience," he wrote.

That statement, issued in January of 1999, was the first report of Van de Velde's status as a suspect, although Yale said they had been told that he was a suspect by police.

Yale then chose not to renew Van de Velde's contract upon its expiration after the spring term.

Yesterday, Conroy refused to comment on this decision.

"That's between him and his employer," he said.

Conroy declined to comment on whether Van de Velde's status as a suspect had any bearing on the decision and would not say whether Van de Velde could return if he was cleared of any wrongdoing in the matter.