Yale Chief Investment Officer David Swensen will take time off from his teaching responsibilities to undergo treatment for cancer, University spokesman Tom Conroy confirmed in a statement released today.

Conroy said Swensen, who did not attend this week’s session of the economics seminar he teaches with Investments Office Senior Director Dean Takahashi, will continue to lead the management of Yale’s roughly $19 billion endowment.

Read the full statement below:

Yale University’s Chief Investment Officer David Swensen is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. He has announced that he is taking a temporary leave from his teaching duties. He continues to direct the work of Yale’s Investments Office in close collaboration with Senior Director Dean Takahashi.

This is a private matter and we will not offer further comment while David focuses on his treatment and recovery.