August 21, 2025
A recent state review has unveiled troubling issues regarding executive expenditures at a prominent state university, highlighting a troubling trend of policy violations within the institution.
The examination, carried out by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, identified several alarming trends, particularly a notable surge in spending by the president’s office over the past two years when compared to the previous five years. The auditor general expressed concern over these expenditures, stating that the nature of the purchases, their substantial costs, and the lack of adequate oversight raise significant red flags. Notably, expenses related to vehicles for the president have reportedly increased to nearly three times the amount spent in the preceding five years.
Furthermore, the concise four-page report casts doubt on the governance structure, suggesting that the board of trustees and senior management may not be exercising adequate oversight regarding critical procurement and administrative issues. The auditor general emphasized that a comprehensive audit would be essential to fully grasp these risks and uncover any additional concerns.
While the review did not delve into specific instances of executive spending that warranted concern, it follows earlier reports indicating that the former president had allocated $661,800 on various high-ticket items, including new vehicles, a luxury apartment in Salt Lake City, extensive national travel, and lavish office furnishings, such as a $750 bidet.
It is worth noting that the former president resigned before these findings were made public to take on a new role at another university.
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