Show College Presidents Being Audited By Kimbal Ingram An audit focusing on presidential spending is being conducted at the nine Utah t tax supported colleges one of which is The audit began when the Deseret News reported approximately approximately m tely three weeks ago the possibility possibility possibility of school funds misuse by Utah Valley Community College PresideD President President dent deD J. J Marvin Higbee It was alleged that Higbee had used school money to pay for personal long long- dista distance ce phone calls a country club membership and golf clubs This allegation now has the spending practices of the presidents of the University of Utah Utah State Weber State Dixie Snow College of Eastern Utah tah Southern Utah State and Salt Lake Community ity College under scrutiny by a team of f auditors from the Utah System for Higher Education The six-member six team will be working closely with individual school auditors in determining discretionary funds phone calls presidential housing budgets and club memberships have been misused Vicki Valera public information officer for the System for Higher Education said that complete audits should be finished in time forthe for forthe the next Regents meeting Presidential Presidential Presidential benefits will also be reviewed to determine if any changes in policy will be required Valera also stated that since the audit wont won't be completed until then no comments regarding president O. O D. D Carnahan will be issued nor of any other school president However in up follow articles bythe bythe by bythe the Deseret News the school presidents presidents presidents dents have shown concern over budget cuts and have used school funds sparingly one president even using his own car instead of the whether school funds funds' allocated for state-furnished state one Pres Carnahan was not mentioned in these follow When asked as to why Higbee seemed to be the only president who misused school funds Valera said it was more a matter of bad judgement than abuse of school policy A preliminary fY audit report at the Oct 23 meeting of the State Board of Regents held in Price showed that Higbee had misused of state money which amount Higbee has agreed to repay Also at this meeting a a statement prepared by Higbee was read announcing his resignation on as president Lucille Stoddard vice-president vice for academic affairs was appointed a ai acting president until a permanent replacement replacement replacement replace replace- ment could be found This appointment appointment appointment appoint appoint- ment makes Stoddard the first woman in Utah to hold the position of acting g president |