http://www.ndigo.com/commentary.asp
The Siege of Chicago State University
By Hermene D. Hartman
The Chicago Tribune recently ran a front-page story on Chicago State University (CSU) and its fiscal audit deficiencies. The story cites a recent audit that found 41 "audit findings."
Chicago State has been in a turnaround mode since Dr. Wayne Watson took the helm.
In previous administrations, there was clearly mismanagement of funds where the president had questionable expenses. One president, for instance, charged cruise trips for her family back to the school.
What's interesting is that the Tribune forgot to report that the University of Illinois, in the same audit period, had 43 "audit findings," yet not one word, let alone a front-page headline, was written on the same.
There is something that has not come out in the press, because Watson thinks it should not be revealed.
But this single fact speaks to his integrity, strength, true grit, determination, and dedication to the CSU in particular and education in general.
Dr. Wayne Watson
Watson has been in a sea of controversy since he "applied" for the presidential position; he has been called everything from a political insider to a crony.
But Watson has worked, on average, 12 to 18 hour days including weekends, for the students and faculty at Chicago State University ÐÐ with no pay.
Because of technical difficulties and legal complications with the State of Illinois regarding his pension, Watson worked for over a year and a half with no paycheck.
Crazy or dedicated?
He has been on a mission. I don't know many who would have worked with his fervor and passion for no pay. He is underpaid.
Watson's commitment to the "audit findings" is to assume full responsibility to address and resolve each issue as he moves the university forward. In place is a "Corrective Action Plan" that ensures that the findings are resolved.
The audit has raised questions about fiscal matters existing prior to Watson's tenure.
The audit began in the summer of 2009. Watson assumed the presidency of Chicago State in October of 2009.
So, the audit period is not entirely his; some of the citations belong to the previous administration and it is totally unacceptable to "blame" Watson for things that happened before his tenure. His team was put into place by March of 2010.
Watson has been attacked in the media for some of the people he has fired at CSU as he has challenged what amounts to political patronage and political employment at the school.
Dealing with political patronage is always challenging, but rather than being applauded, Watson has been media scorned for his professional efforts to make Chicago State more productive and efficient.
Upon taking his position, he walked into an educational fire. The triage of academic challenges threatened the life of the university with accreditation issues, financial mismanagement and human resources, with limited controls.
Hermene D. Hartman
