Labush agreed, saying Lasaga enjoyed theadmiration of his students and Saybrook residentsalike.

"It was a big shock," she said. "He wasprobably one of the most popular figures in ourcollege."

Before taking a post as professor ofgeochemistry at Yale in 1984, Lasaga earned hisPh.D. in chemical physics at Harvard in 1976 andserved as a lecturer in Harvard's Department ofChemistry and Geology in 1976 and 1977.

In addition to resigning his mastership Friday,Lasaga was granted indefinite leave from hisprofessorial duties, according to Tom P. Conroy,acting director of public affairs at Yale.

Conroy said Lasaga will remain on leave for theduration of the academic year.

The university has not announced plans torevoke Lasaga's tenure, but it is not clear whenhe might return to campus.

Former Trumbull College master and UniversityChaplain Harry B. Adams has been appointed interimmaster of Saybrook.

"As best we know, Adams has taken on theappointment until the end of the year or untilLasaga comes back," said Cynthia K. Atwood, a Yalespokesperson.

In a phone interview yesterday, Adams said,"It's a difficult moment for the college,obviously, but it's my sense that students aremoving ahead and proceeding with their studies andtheir lives."

"Obviously students were surprised and hurt anddisappointed because he was a divine master, andstudents feel that loss very strongly," he added.

Sources told The Crimson that Lasaga, who hadnot been arrested at press time, was active incommunity service and worked with needy children.

According to the sources, Lasaga has beenactive in the New Haven branch of the Big BrothersBig Sisters organization, which pairsunderprivileged youths with adult mentors.

No connection has been established thus farbetween Lasaga's community service activities andthe investigation.

Sources told The Crimson that Lasaga hasretired to his home in Cheshire, Conn. He and hiswife have two grown children, both of whom live inNew York City