West Virginia University Prof. Roy Nutter today was appointed chairman of the panel assigned to investigate an M.B.A. degree granted retroactively to Mylan Inc. executive Heather Bresch in October.

The appointment, made by WVU Provost Gerald Lang, follows the resignation yesterday of former panel chairman Bruce Flack, a high-ranking executive with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Mr. Flack said he withdrew from the post out of respect for the wishes of the WVU faculty senate, which on Monday recommended his removal because of the policy commission's ties to Gov. Joe Manchin, Ms. Bresch's father.

The faculty senate also recommended it appoint three additional panelists who are not affiliated with the school or state government. WVU Provost Gerald Lang, who selected Mr. Flack, Mr. Nutter and WVU professor Michael Lastinger for the panel, said he would accept the senate's recommendations to add three people.

Faculty senate Chairman Steve Kite said yesterday the earliest he foresees the senate approving the three panelists is Jan. 28.