New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office has released its findings in an audit of Erie Community College, criticizing the college for what it says was a lack of transparency in personnel decisions, including hires and salary raises.
In a written statement, DiNapoli says: "Our auditors found a lax control environment in which significant decisions were made out of the view of the board, the public and students. “I urge ECC’s board of trustees to take a more active oversight role and address the deficiencies outlined in this audit.”
The audit, which combed through ECC's finances from 2010 through last year, reported the creation of 10 senior executive positions that did not come with proper board approval.
It's important to note that the audit does not allege any fraud, misappropriation or other illegal activity. ECC president Jack Quinn calls the report fair, and says the roots of the problem lie in the poor recording of information.
"We've got to do a much better job of minutes and note-taking and record keeping," Quinn said. "A lot of what (DiNapoli) points out happened verbally, and I would follow up with emails to payroll and what not, but there's no written record in the minutes of this kind of discussions that were had."
Quinn says because of that poor record-keeping, what was reported as ten hires is inaccurate. He says only five executive positions were created, while the other five positions involved established employees who were transferred.
Other questions raised in the audit include concerns about senior executive leave records, the hiring of 11 contractors without requests for proposals and not entering into written contracts with eight hired contractors.
DiNapoli's office offers 22 recommendations. Quinn says ECC officials have already approved changes that address up to eight of those recommendations. The college has 90 days to prepare and submit a corrective action plan.
