BOG’s poor audit results prove it lacks competence to assess FAMU’s audit division

BOG Vice-Chairman Morteza Hosseini (center)
BOG Chairman Dean Colson (left)

Yesterday, the Tallahassee Democrat published an article about the Florida Board of Governor’s praise for a corrective action plan submitted by FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. The document responded to a 2012 review by former BOG Inspector General Derry Harper. Harper directed heavy criticism against FAMU’s Division of Audit and Compliance (DAC).

The article stated: “The tenor of Thursday’s meeting was markedly different from June 2012, when James H. Ammons was FAMU president and Robinson served as provost. At that meeting, FAMU’s annual work plan was essentially deemed unacceptable by BOG members.”

But once again, the Tallahassee Democrat declined to inform its readers about a 2013 state audit that essentially found the state of the BOG inspector general’s office to be unacceptable.

David W. Martin, the Florida auditor general, scolded the BOG for “noncompliance with statutory requirements” in a quality assessment review of its inspector general’s office. He declared the office to be out-of-compliance with Florida law for its failure to issue any audit reports for more than four years. Another serious finding blasted the BOG for failing to provide verification that Harper had the educational qualifications required by Florida law.

“Board records did not contain evidence to demonstrate that the educational background of the incumbent Inspector General met the requirements of Section 20.055(4), Florida Statutes,” Martin wrote.

Harper resigned shortly after Martin notified the BOG of its noncompliance with that Florida statute.

The BOG continues to make headlines with its public statements calling for accountability within the FAMU DAC, but it has been exempted from newspaper publicity about its failure to ensure that its own Office of the Inspector General fully complied with state laws.

The Florida Board of Governors has proven that it isn’t up to the task of running an inspector general’s office that serves as an example for the state universities to follow. It lacks the competence to assess or provide guidance to the FAMU Division of Audit of Compliance.