The West Virginia Ethics Commission has begun an inquiry into the West Virginia University degree scandal involving the governor's daughter.

The probe comes as the university's board of governors meets today, when it is likely to affirm the appointment of C. Peter Magrath, former president of the universities of Missouri and Minnesota, as WVU's interim president. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last week that the veteran educator was the likely temporary replacement for Mike Garrison, who is stepping down Sept. 1.

University spokeswoman Becky Lofstead confirmed the ethics commission inquiry last night. "The university is aware of the investigation and individuals are cooperating," she said.

Faculty, students, alumni and donors had called for Mr. Garrison's removal after a five-member panel of educators concluded in April that the university falsified academic records to award a master's of business administration degree to Mylan Inc. executive Heather Bresch that she did not earn.

Ms. Bresch is a longtime friend and former business associate of Mr. Garrison, and the daughter of West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. Her boss, Mylan chairman Milan Puskar, is the university's biggest benefactor.

Associate business school dean Cyril Logar, a key figure in the degree scandal, was questioned last week by an attorney representing the ethics commission. Dr. Logar, who is stepping down as associate dean Aug. 15, said he met with attorney Stephen G. Jory on July 1. He declined further comment.

Mr. Jory, an attorney with the Elkins, W.Va., office of McNeer, Highland, McMunn and Varner, declined to comment yesterday. The ethics commission is set to approve Mr. Jory as special counsel at the agency's monthly meeting on Thursday in Charleston, according to the agenda.

The ethics commission was created by the West Virginia Legislature in 1989 to implement and enforce a code of ethical conduct for public servants.

Lewis G. Brewer, the commission's executive director, declined to comment on whether the agency was investigating the decision by WVU officials to award the degree to Ms. Bresch in October, nearly a decade after she left the program. Investigations only become public after the commission determines there is probable cause that an ethics violation occurred, he said.

The commission can investigate matters on its own or based on a complaint from a citizen. It has the power to issue subpoenas.

The commission's 12 members are appointed by the governor, approved by the Senate and serve five-year terms. There currently are two vacancies on the commission.

Mr. Garrison has denied any direct hand in awarding the degree to Ms. Bresch. The panel that reviewed the matter put his key aides at the center of the decision. The panel was formed in January after a Dec. 21 story by the Post-Gazette questioned how top administrators went about granting the degree.

So far, all administrators involved in the scandal remain on the payroll at WVU.

Although Mr. Garrison has said he is stepping down as president, he has avoided the term "resign," raising questions about whether he will remain with the university in another capacity.

Provost Gerald Lang and business school dean R. Stephen Sears resigned their posts effective June 30, but both have said they plan to teach at WVU in the fall.

Dr. Logar, who also attended key decisional meetings, said he will take a professional leave in the fall to prepare to resume teaching in the spring. He said his departure from the associate dean's post was a personal decision long overdue and not related to the degree scandal.

Among Mr. Garrison's top aides, vice president of legal affairs Alex Macia lost his title of general counsel and communications director Bill Case was reassigned to WVU's Health Sciences Center. Chief of Staff Craig Walker has not revealed his plans, but has said he does not expect to continue in the chief of staff post after Mr. Garrison leaves.