The director of the Institute of Technology at Tralee, Dr Sean McBride, has stepped aside from his position, pending an inquiry by the Department of Education.
The Department is examining a series of clashes between senior staff and the governing body at the college. Dr Mc Bride could not be contacted last night.
Another senior member at the college is understood to have resigned, but he was unavailable for comment last night. The moves at a senior level are the culmination of a series of internal disputes and industrial relations difficulties at the college. Last year, a Department inspector was sent into the college after staff raised concerns. There has been a history of tension between the director and the governing body.
Last month, students boycotted lectures in a protest about facilities in the college's new £15 million north campus at Dromtacker. The college has 2,500 full-time students and 1,500 part-time students.
The students' union asked all students not to attend lectures until facilities are improved. Staff represented by the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) also withdrew from lectures in the new campus because of concerns over health and safety.
The TUI claimed three lecturers had been injured in the building, including one who fell into a hole and another who sprained a wrist.