A Southern Illinois University engineering professor remains on unpaid leave and is not allowed on campus after being charged with battery in a fight with a student.

Alan J. Weston is accused of pushing 22-year-old senior Ryan Wynne in late April on the Carbondale campus. A Jackson County Circuit Court hearing is scheduled for next week.

University police reports obtained by the (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan (bit.ly/1Jw2J9G ) show that students in Weston’s mechanical engineering class reported that he behaved strangely the day before the argument.

Witnesses say the dispute began during a class presentation and escalated after Weston instructed the student to accompany him to the engineering dean’s office.

Another professor said that Wynne responded to being shoved by pushing his teacher over a desk before campus police were summoned.