When asked recently, many trustees at Utah universities were surprised to learn that part of their job is to oversee the spending of their school and its president. Only about 26% knew this crucial responsibility. This lack of understanding is concerning, especially in light of the recent audit of Utah State University (USU), which highlighted significant overspending by its past president.
State Senator Chris Wilson, who represents the area where USU is located, found these audit results troubling. He noted that the duties of university trustees have been vaguely defined, leading to confusion. To clarify their responsibilities, Senator Wilson introduced SB240. This bill aims to ensure that trustees are clearly directed to monitor spending and to assess the university president’s performance each year. It also calls for setting approval thresholds for certain expenses.
This bill is partly a response to a recent audit showing that former USU President Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell spent over $660,000 on travel, new cars, and office renovations within just 18 months before moving to Washington State University. The audit raised serious questions about whether these expenditures followed state laws, citing instances where big contracts were approved without proper processes.
Historically, trustees at USU and likely other universities were not actively managing these expenses. The audit suggested that this issue might span across all public universities in Utah, making SB240 even more relevant. Senator Wilson emphasized that trustees are eager for direction in their roles.
The initial committee hearing for the bill saw a 4-1 vote in favor, moving it to the full Senate. The lone opposing voice was Senator Kathleen Riebe, who worried about granting too much power to trustees, especially as many of them are donors and typically serve in a volunteer capacity. She raised valid concerns about the balance of power and governance in this setup.
However, Senator Wilson countered that the Senate has a role in confirming trustee appointments, which allows for oversight of those being placed in these significant positions. Geoff Landward, Utah’s commissioner of higher education, echoed the need for clarity rather than a change in the fundamental role of trustees. He argued that given the size of the university system in Utah, the Board of Higher Education cannot oversee every detail. They rely on the local trustees to be vigilant.
Recognizing this challenge, the proposed bill would provide resources to better support trustees, including hiring an independent staff member to help them understand their responsibilities. This initiative aims to empower trustees to make informed decisions that could positively impact their institutions.
By improving the governance structure and clarifying the roles of university trustees, Utah’s education system can ensure more accountable use of funds, ultimately benefiting students and taxpayers alike.
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