Controversial part-time journalism instructor Gerald Hannon has been suspended indefinitely from teaching at Ryerson Polytechnic University after he admitted he works as a prostitute.
An investigation will be carried out into recent media statements relating to his conduct, a university statement said last night.
On Saturday, the Toronto Sun reported that Hannon, 51, said he works as a male prostitute to add to his income.
He is already under review by the university because of his views on adult-child sex and allegations he discussed them in class.
``We will be investigating whether his alleged conduct is unbefitting his status as a member of the teaching community of Ryerson,'' said university president Claude Lajeunesse.
The investigation is headed by Michael Dewson, vice- president of faculty and staff affairs, the statement said.
He had been conducting the earlier probe.
Hannon is to have no contact with his students and is banned from the campus without permission while under suspension, Dewson said.
Hannon, who has been teaching magazine writing to senior year Ryerson students, would not comment last night.
But one of his students did.
``I'm pretty angry right now,'' said Adam Hunt in a call to The Star after hearing of the suspension.
``I'm a big supporter of Mr. Hannon,'' said Hunt, a second- year journalism student.
``He is a very effective instructor and I don't like the way the administration'' is handling the matter, he said.
``Because Mr. Hannon is covered by a collective bargaining agreement'' between Ryerson and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, ``we are required to follow prescribed process before making a decision on this matter,'' Lajeunesse said.
Hannon is required to provide John Miller, head of the journalism school, with all classroom materials, student evaluations and related materials, the statement said.
``Appropriate arrangements will be made to ensure Mr. Hannon's students receive their grades for the semester,'' Dewson said.
The Sun reported that Hannon began working as a male prostitute almost on a daily basis about 1987. But he only sells his body a couple of times a month now, the paper said.
Ryerson journalism students have overwhelmingly backed him and his right to hold personal views about ``inter-generational sex.''