Post by bluehaze on Jun 1, 2007 7:33:56 GMT -5
A&T's building project
N.C. A&T's campus is humming with construction projects. But a devastating University of North Carolina audit makes it clear that more important work is urgently needed. A&T leaders have to rebuild the Greensboro institution's foundation of public trust.
An examination of A&T accounts found enough wrongdoing to warrant a recommendation for criminal investigation. The cost of mismanagement might come to as much as $2 million.
Or it could be more if lack of confidence drives down private contributions to the university or turns off funding organizations that otherwise might award grants or contracts. People who give money want assurances that every dollar will be spent properly.
The UNC audit was launched six months ago after suspected misappropriations were discovered in A&T's Division of Information Technology and Telecommunications. A vice chancellor was charged with embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretenses.
Other problems involving much more money subsequently were uncovered. Meanwhile, Interim Chancellor Lloyd Hackley, on board since the departure of James Renick a year ago, found a leadership crisis. A specialist in ethics, Hackley prepared a written presentation for faculty and staff ascribing troubles at A&T to "the involvement of 'leaders' at various levels committing, omitting or tolerating ineffective, inefficient, immoral and unethical activities."
Blame implicitly lands at the feet of the departed Renick, but Board of Trustees Chairwoman Velma Speight-Buford said last week she takes responsibility for "the board not doing its job. The board was not asking questions."
Trustees weren't alone. No one detected malfeasance until a whistle-blower called A&T's hot line last fall.
The good news has been the response by the UNC system staff, which kept its promise to be thorough and transparent in its proceedings, and by Hackley, who has been blunt in his assessment of past practices. Better internal controls have been implemented.
The audit comes when A&T faces many other challenges: strengthening key academic programs, including nursing and engineering; significantly raising graduation and retention rates; setting higher admission standards without letting enrollment fall; and moving forward as a leading force in the development of Greensboro's new economy.
Meanwhile, Chancellor-elect Stanley Battle will arrive July 1 on the heels of his own critical audit at Coppin State University in Maryland. State examiners found a lack of controls over purchases and disbursements, failure to collect on overdue student accounts and other problems.
It's time for some real construction work at A&T. Past practices aren't acceptable. The university can fulfill its mission of providing quality higher education and contributing to a healthy economy only if it builds on a foundation of responsible management and integrity.
www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/NEWSREC010201/705300309
N.C. A&T's campus is humming with construction projects. But a devastating University of North Carolina audit makes it clear that more important work is urgently needed. A&T leaders have to rebuild the Greensboro institution's foundation of public trust.
An examination of A&T accounts found enough wrongdoing to warrant a recommendation for criminal investigation. The cost of mismanagement might come to as much as $2 million.
Or it could be more if lack of confidence drives down private contributions to the university or turns off funding organizations that otherwise might award grants or contracts. People who give money want assurances that every dollar will be spent properly.
The UNC audit was launched six months ago after suspected misappropriations were discovered in A&T's Division of Information Technology and Telecommunications. A vice chancellor was charged with embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretenses.
Other problems involving much more money subsequently were uncovered. Meanwhile, Interim Chancellor Lloyd Hackley, on board since the departure of James Renick a year ago, found a leadership crisis. A specialist in ethics, Hackley prepared a written presentation for faculty and staff ascribing troubles at A&T to "the involvement of 'leaders' at various levels committing, omitting or tolerating ineffective, inefficient, immoral and unethical activities."
Blame implicitly lands at the feet of the departed Renick, but Board of Trustees Chairwoman Velma Speight-Buford said last week she takes responsibility for "the board not doing its job. The board was not asking questions."
Trustees weren't alone. No one detected malfeasance until a whistle-blower called A&T's hot line last fall.
The good news has been the response by the UNC system staff, which kept its promise to be thorough and transparent in its proceedings, and by Hackley, who has been blunt in his assessment of past practices. Better internal controls have been implemented.
The audit comes when A&T faces many other challenges: strengthening key academic programs, including nursing and engineering; significantly raising graduation and retention rates; setting higher admission standards without letting enrollment fall; and moving forward as a leading force in the development of Greensboro's new economy.
Meanwhile, Chancellor-elect Stanley Battle will arrive July 1 on the heels of his own critical audit at Coppin State University in Maryland. State examiners found a lack of controls over purchases and disbursements, failure to collect on overdue student accounts and other problems.
It's time for some real construction work at A&T. Past practices aren't acceptable. The university can fulfill its mission of providing quality higher education and contributing to a healthy economy only if it builds on a foundation of responsible management and integrity.
www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/NEWSREC010201/705300309
