As the new school year looms and UBC prepares to inaugurate a new president, the postsecondary institution finds itself linked to a negative news story.

A former associate professor of kinesiology, James L. Rupert, has been charged with one count of secretly observing/recording nudity in a private place, according to the B.C. courts online website.

Rupert was an associate professor of kinesiology from 2004 until June 30.

The alleged offence took place on the University Endowment Lands, according to court documents. The RCMP has told CBC News that Rupert had allegedly placed a camera in a change room.

 Rupert appeared in court on August 19 and none of the allegations have been proven.

In 2013, UBC issued a news release highlighting research by Rupert proving that a polymerase chain reaction, commonly known as the PCR test, could be used to detect blood doping.

This work was published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

Meanwhile, mathematician Arvind Gupta will be installed as UBC's 13th president and vice-chancellor on September 12.