Columbia’s University Faces Scrutiny Over Grant Mismanagement
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a startling turn of events that could shake the foundation of the University of South Carolina (USC), a recent report from the state’s Legislative Audit Council (LAC) reveals that **_the Office of Economic Engagement_** has been accused of seriously mismanaging a whopping $1.7 million in federal grant money. Even more troubling, the report suggests there may have been violations of state ethics codes during this time.
Two-Year Investigation Leads to Damning Findings
This unsettling revelation is the culmination of a two-year investigation initiated at the request of the General Assembly in 2022. The aim was to assess the activities of the Office of Economic Engagement, USC’s technology incubator, and the South Carolina Research Foundation. According to LAC Audit Manager John Kesslein, the audit’s findings contained the phrase “**_questionable mismanagement of funds_**,” which isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement of the university’s financial practices.
What’s Been Spent? A Little Too Much on Gadgets?
So, what kind of items did this large sum of taxpayer money go toward? The audit report details some eyebrow-raising expenditures, including spending on:
– Unopened computer labs for students
– Fringe benefits for employees
– Apple Watches for USC employees
It’s hard not to raise an eyebrow at the mention of Apple Watches, isn’t it? Kesslein noted, “Honestly, it’s not that this sort of thing happens every day, and it doesn’t, but these are just choices that we think could have been better or even differently made.” It raises the big question: what were decision-makers thinking when they signed off on these purchases?
What Will Happen to the Items Purchased?
A critical point to consider is what will eventually become of these purchased items. When asked about the future of the unopened computer labs and those fancy watches, Kesslein didn’t have a direct answer, saying, “I don’t know what they are going to do with those. You’d have to ask the university what their plans are for that.”
He went on to add, “The greater concern is that some of the controls should have been applied to carefully question the transactions we feel did not align with appropriate spending.”
USC President Responds to Findings
In light of this report, USC President Michael Amiridis was quick to release a statement addressing the use of these funds. He emphasized that, “The University of South Carolina is committed to prudent use of taxpayer funds, and welcomes good faith reviews of its practices.” The president seems to be taking the situation seriously, which is a good first step.
Next Steps for USC
Moving forward, Kesslein noted that it’s now up to the university to accept recommendations for change, including the establishment of a dedicated grant administrator. It seems like a sensible idea; after all, better oversight can help prevent this kind of mess from happening again in the future!
Looking Ahead
As this story unfolds, many will be keeping a close eye on USC’s actions following these allegations. Will they rise to the occasion and implement the necessary changes? Will there be further fallout from this report? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: **_Columbia is watching._**
