State auditors have come out with a report criticizing the Board of Regents for Higher Education for failing to adequately monitor purchasing at the universities it oversees. The auditors faulted data security, too.
The auditors said going back to at least 2009, the Connecticut State University System has ignored a state law requiring centralized purchasing in the system. Auditors found that each of the universities (Central, Southern, Western and Eastern Connecticut state universities) maintain their own purchasing departments. Regents told the auditors they are in the midst of hiring a purchasing director to centralize the system.
The audit cited other deficiencies in the regents’ purchasing practices. It said there were two instances, contrary to state purchasing regulations, where services were ordered and received before the issuance of a purchase requisition and purchase order. The auditors said that could lead to unauthorized or improper purchases.
The audit also faulted the regents’ control of its computer accounting system. Contrary to state practices, former employees were allowed to maintain access to the system for anywhere from five to 164 days after leaving the university system.
The audit covered the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years. During that time, Robert A. Kennedy served as president from Sept. 7, 2011, through Oct. 13, 2012. Philip E. Austin served as interim president from Nov. 2, 2012 to June 27, 2013. Gregory W. Gray served as president from June 28, 2013 to Sept. 28, 2015.
