The state and the University of Delaware disagree over a proposed audit of the university’s use of state funds.
State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’s office recently sought to perform audits on Delaware Tech, Delaware State University and the University of Delaware, including each institution’s use of a state Procurement Card (PCard) for purchases and travel.
McGuiness says the audit was launched after a hotline request.
“Our stance is, if you accept tax dollars, we believe those receiving state monies should be held accountable,” she said.
But, unlike the other two institutions, her office listed the status of UD’s audit as “declined to participate.”
McGuiness says this issue was raised at a recent Joint Finance Committee meeting.
“Our audit request for this latest P-Card audit has [sic] reopened the debate, again, with the University of Delaware. And the debate being, what oversight does the state have for the over $100 million that is given to UD,” she said.
But in an email to Delaware’s General Assembly, UD’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Long called the Auditor’s report erroneous, saying the university has “repeatedly communicated its willingness to participate.”
He also cites Delaware code, saying “any audit of the state-funded portion of the University’s finances must be conducted by a contractor.” The accounting firm KPMG has conducted audits for UD for years. Those reports are publicly available online.
Long asks the state to change the status of its audit to “pending.”
McGuiness says members of the Joint Finance Committee expressed interest in sending the university a letter, “encouraging UD to work with the Auditor’s office.”
Delaware State University’s audit is still pending and Del Tech’s was completed with no issue.
