A recent state assessment has unveiled troubling spending practices at Utah State University (USU), particularly during former President Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell’s brief tenure. The report highlights a “culture of policy noncompliance,” which allowed executive staff to approve contracts without proper oversight.
Auditors found that some executives were approving contracts worth up to $430,000 without following the necessary purchasing procedures. Spending in the president’s office has significantly increased over the past two years, including a notable threefold increase in expenditures on new vehicles.
Concerns about Cantwell’s spending first emerged from a report by The Salt Lake Tribune. Using public records, the Tribune identified expenditures totaling $661,800, which included expenses for new cars, a Salt Lake City apartment, extensive travel, and extravagant office furnishings, such as a $750 bidet.
Cantwell resigned in March 2024 to take on the presidency at Washington State University. Following the newspaper’s reporting, state lawmakers sought a review by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General. The review has raised “governance concerns” about the university’s board of trustees, which is responsible for overseeing finances and audits.
Jesse Martinson, a senior performance auditor, expressed worries that the relationships among different departments might discourage compliance with existing rules. He noted that the overall culture surrounding spending seemed to have weakened.
The limited review revealed serious risks, suggesting that a full audit is essential. Initial findings indicate:
- Staff were not adhering to purchasing policies, with executive employees approving contracts without necessary checks.
- The president’s office made troubling purchases with a purchasing card, raising flags due to the nature and amounts involved.
- Concerns over the excessive spending on vehicles designated for Cantwell’s use.
Interestingly, this scrutiny of spending comes during a time when Utah’s leaders are addressing what they call “administrative bloat” in higher education. This year, state lawmakers mandated budget cuts, with USU facing a reduction of $12.6 million.
Lawmakers like Rep. Casey Snider and House Speaker Mike Schultz have voiced serious concerns about the situation at USU, suggesting that worries about spending might extend beyond just the president’s office.
Tessa White, the chair of USU’s board of trustees, stated that the university is taking steps to address these issues. She is optimistic that by the time the audit concludes, there will be improvements that restore confidence in the institution.
Cantwell’s Vehicle Expenses
The Tribune highlighted that during her time at USU, Cantwell had access to three university vehicles, all specifically purchased for her use. According to Utah’s higher education policies, university presidents can have cars bought for them, provided personal use is documented and taxed.
The first vehicle, a 2023 Toyota Highlander, was acquired for $42,969. With multiple campuses to oversee, it was deemed necessary for her to have a reliable vehicle for state-wide travel. The university also bought a Chevy Suburban for her to use when accompanied by a security officer. This vehicle is typically valued at around $60,000. A special $28,300 golf cart was also purchased for use on the Logan campus shortly after she took office.
P-Card and Presidential Office Spending
Regarding the university-issued purchasing card (P-card), Cantwell made very few transactions, mostly related to travel, totaling $3,585. USU’s policy stipulates that no single transaction can exceed $4,999, indicating a level of control aimed at preventing excessive spending.
In analyzing the budgets, it’s clear that Cantwell’s office expenditures saw a significant bump compared to her predecessor, Noelle Cockett. Cantwell’s first-year operating budget was $547,330, compared to $287,330 in Cockett’s last fiscal year. It’s worth noting that Cantwell’s salary was also notably higher, starting at $581,585.
This situation invites further scrutiny not just of spending at USU but of how higher education institutions manage resources more broadly. As financial pressures mount, finding a balance between administrative costs and educational investment remains a critical challenge in Utah and nationwide.
For more insights on governance in education, you can check the Utah System of Higher Education.
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USU, USU audit, Utah State University, Betsy Cantwell, USU president spending, USU spending
