Post by 1aggielady on May 30, 2008 14:39:28 GMT -5
Audit finds problems at N.C. A&T
By Jane Stancill, Staff Writer
A state audit released today detailed questionable scholarships that went to relatives of university employees at N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro.
The scholarships apparently came from a fund that was meant to help financially needy students, but went to relatives of university employees who may not have qualified for the awards.
"Need-based scholarships should have clear guidelines and be awarded equitably based on the needs of students," said State Auditor Les Merritt in a news release today. "University employees should not be allowed to award scholarships to themselves or immediate family members."
The annual financial audit contained 13 findings for N.C. A&T, including inappropriate travel reimbursements worth nearly $5,000. Two questionable trips worth $4,000 were charged to a vice chancellor's discretionary account, the audit found. The audit also found errors in student accounts and nearly $100,000 in costs charged to state funds that should not have been allowed under state rules.
N.C. A&T concurred with the findings and said it had begun to implement better control over the various financial accounts.
The audit comes nine months after another audit disclosed more than $1 million in fraud, mismanagement of federal grants and misuse of money at N.C. A&T. That review followed months of investigation and the dismissal of several employees who were charged with criminal offenses.
Earlier this week, an audit uncovered an inappropriately awarded contract at UNC-Greensboro. Another audit released today showed a continuation of financial problems at Fayetteville State University.
jane.stancill@newsobserver.com or (919) 956-
By Jane Stancill, Staff Writer
A state audit released today detailed questionable scholarships that went to relatives of university employees at N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro.
The scholarships apparently came from a fund that was meant to help financially needy students, but went to relatives of university employees who may not have qualified for the awards.
"Need-based scholarships should have clear guidelines and be awarded equitably based on the needs of students," said State Auditor Les Merritt in a news release today. "University employees should not be allowed to award scholarships to themselves or immediate family members."
The annual financial audit contained 13 findings for N.C. A&T, including inappropriate travel reimbursements worth nearly $5,000. Two questionable trips worth $4,000 were charged to a vice chancellor's discretionary account, the audit found. The audit also found errors in student accounts and nearly $100,000 in costs charged to state funds that should not have been allowed under state rules.
N.C. A&T concurred with the findings and said it had begun to implement better control over the various financial accounts.
The audit comes nine months after another audit disclosed more than $1 million in fraud, mismanagement of federal grants and misuse of money at N.C. A&T. That review followed months of investigation and the dismissal of several employees who were charged with criminal offenses.
Earlier this week, an audit uncovered an inappropriately awarded contract at UNC-Greensboro. Another audit released today showed a continuation of financial problems at Fayetteville State University.
jane.stancill@newsobserver.com or (919) 956-
