
Review Finds Spending Concerns at Utah State
A state review released Tuesday raised concerns about executive spending at Utah State University and a “culture of policy noncompliance,” The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The review, conducted by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, noted multiple issues, including a significant increase in spending by the president’s office over the last two years compared to the prior five years. The auditor general who conducted the review said such purchases “may be concerning due to the nature of the purchases, the dollar amounts involved, and the level of oversight.” The review also flagged presidential expenses on vehicles that are “almost triple the amount for the five years before.”
In addition, the four-page report raises questions about governance, finding that “trustees and senior leadership may not be providing sufficient oversight on key procurement and administrative matters.” The auditor general wrote that “a complete audit would be needed to fully understand these risks” and identify other issues.
The review did not provide details on specific instances of executive spending that it found concerning, but follows reporting by the Tribune in April that found former Utah State president Elizabeth Cantwell had spent $661,800 on new automobiles, a Salt Lake City apartment, national travel and expensive office furnishings, including a $750 bidet.
Cantwell resigned prior to that report to accept the presidency at Washington State University.
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