Spring Break
Audit is no surprise
State Hornet Staff
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Opinion
Fallout from the state audit of California State Universities is still being sorted out. While the audit set specific "suggestions" for what the CSU system needs to do, implementing a "feasible" solution isn't fixing the issue; it just confounds it further.
California's state auditor, Elain Howle explained the CSU system needed strengthening in oversight and in setting stricter compensation policies for its current and former executives.
These findings confirm what faculty's been saying for years about CSU administration's abuse of taxpayer dollars according to a California Faculty Association press release statement that came out following the audit. The findings shouldn't come as any shock to students either.
As expected, the CSU Media Relations Specialist, Paul Browning said the CSU is "very happy with the report."
"We plan to implement (the suggestions stated in the audit) as soon as feasible," Browning said.
Let's hope it doesn't take too long.
The suggestions "highlight the need for a stronger policy and greater board oversight of relocation expense reimbursements," according to the audit.
Currently President Gonzalez is making $295,000 annually. That's nearly a $35,000 increase from last year. Along with their generous paychecks, many administrators also enjoy myriad "allowances" allotted by the CSU. For example, Gonzalez has a $12,000 annual car allowance, as well as a $60,000 housing allowance. Let us not forget the $300 monthly entertainment allowance either.
There are no specific details given as to how allowances are supposed to be spent giving administrators the flexibility to decide how the money can be spent.
The CSU system hasn't developed a central system enabling it to adequately monitor adherence to its compensation policies or measuring its impact on university finances, and it should.
Browning praised Howle's audit for being fair and balanced.
The time for praise is over. The response from the CSU comes as an insult to anyone who reads it. While the CSU decides how the audit's "suggestions" should be implemented, students continue to watch their tuition raise and their professors leave Sac State. All the while administrators continue to line their own pockets.
The needless thanking and praising of the audits and faculty budget task force reports don't rectify an issue that has polarized professors and students against their college administrators.
Students and professors are tired of these carefully worded responses administrators hide behind. Politeness doesn't change the fact that students are uneasy about the way their fees are being used. They want to know that their money is going toward their education, not Gonzalez's car maintenance fees or how he intends to spend his weekend.
The State Hornet Staff can be reached at opinion@statehornet.com.
California's state auditor, Elain Howle explained the CSU system needed strengthening in oversight and in setting stricter compensation policies for its current and former executives.
These findings confirm what faculty's been saying for years about CSU administration's abuse of taxpayer dollars according to a California Faculty Association press release statement that came out following the audit. The findings shouldn't come as any shock to students either.
As expected, the CSU Media Relations Specialist, Paul Browning said the CSU is "very happy with the report."
"We plan to implement (the suggestions stated in the audit) as soon as feasible," Browning said.
Let's hope it doesn't take too long.
The suggestions "highlight the need for a stronger policy and greater board oversight of relocation expense reimbursements," according to the audit.
Currently President Gonzalez is making $295,000 annually. That's nearly a $35,000 increase from last year. Along with their generous paychecks, many administrators also enjoy myriad "allowances" allotted by the CSU. For example, Gonzalez has a $12,000 annual car allowance, as well as a $60,000 housing allowance. Let us not forget the $300 monthly entertainment allowance either.
There are no specific details given as to how allowances are supposed to be spent giving administrators the flexibility to decide how the money can be spent.
The CSU system hasn't developed a central system enabling it to adequately monitor adherence to its compensation policies or measuring its impact on university finances, and it should.
Browning praised Howle's audit for being fair and balanced.
The time for praise is over. The response from the CSU comes as an insult to anyone who reads it. While the CSU decides how the audit's "suggestions" should be implemented, students continue to watch their tuition raise and their professors leave Sac State. All the while administrators continue to line their own pockets.
The needless thanking and praising of the audits and faculty budget task force reports don't rectify an issue that has polarized professors and students against their college administrators.
Students and professors are tired of these carefully worded responses administrators hide behind. Politeness doesn't change the fact that students are uneasy about the way their fees are being used. They want to know that their money is going toward their education, not Gonzalez's car maintenance fees or how he intends to spend his weekend.
The State Hornet Staff can be reached at opinion@statehornet.com.
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