OU’s Faculty Senate discussed a News 9 article that suggested certain professors planned summer research around their family vacations, among other alleged incidents of the university’s inappropriate spending, at its Oct. 8 meeting.
The News 9 published an investigation Thursday, Oct. 4, with documents that said expense data shown in open record reports painted a picture of the state's flagship university ignoring frequent financial red flags, including faculty members purchasing inappropriate supplies and taking advantage of OU’s “working meals” policy. OU President James Gallogly was quoted in the story speaking about OU’s inefficiencies.
Faculty Senate Chair Megan Elwood Madden said three members of OU’s faculty contacted her over the weekend and brought the article to her attention.
Senior Vice President and Provost Kyle Harper said at the meeting he thinks the article falsely implied professors were “living large in first class.”
Elwood Madden said faculty travel expenses may have been misinterpreted by the news outlet, given that there are sometimes exceptions and special accommodations needed.
“If it is a conference hotel and they are giving you an approved rate, then that may actually be your cheapest option and your best option,” Elwood Madden said. “There was none of that context provided.”
Elwood Madden refuted claims in the article and said that it lacks context for both Gallogly’s statements and for the travel and receipt “anomalies.”
Elwood Madden said she thinks Gallogly’s answers were taken out of context.
“The interview was about fleet vehicles and fleet usage and the quotes may have been in regard to fleet vehicles and fleet usage that were then used about travel expenses and research reimbursements,” Elwood Madden said.
Joshua Nelson, Faculty Senate chair-elect, also expressed concerns with the article following Harper’s remarks, said he interpreted the article as inaccurate because it implied issues with OU’s fleet services were the cause of major financial problems.
“I think that the provost was suggesting not that either the report nor the president was suggesting that fleet vehicle use was precipitating a financial crisis,” Nelson said.
Senate members also voted to empower the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to act on behalf of the full senate on recommendations regarding academic programs and budget changes. Members also listened to a presentation from the Interim Vice President of Human Resources Marcy Fleming concerning benefits for faculty members.
