Administrative spending questioned by AAUP

A recent letter by Linda Rouillard, an assistant professor of French and representing the UT-AAUP, to UT President Lloyd Jacobs, accuses the administration of questionable spending.

The letter was written in response to a "Presidential Perspectives" video posted on the myUT website where Jacobs and Vice President for External Affairs and Interim VP for Equity and Diversity Larry Burns, which addresses the issue of two apartments the university owns in Ypsilanti, Mich.

"Until we see the actual leases [which were requested] and know who has resided in these apartments and for how long, we don't know what the actual purpose is for these two apartments in [Ypsilanti]," Rouillard stated in an email. "I think that these apartments are not justified expenses because Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, Mich. are within commuting distance of UT. Some faculty make this commute regularly."

Burns said the purpose of the apartment rentals is to allow medical students to have a place to stay during their required clinical rotations at St. Joseph's Mercy in Ann Arbor and St. Mary's Mercy in Livonia, Mich.

The apartments are kept in Ypsilanti because rent is lower there than in Ann Arbor.

"There are two, two-bedroom apartments," Burns said. "One is for men and one for women. But they are for medical students only. No hospital residents use the apartments."

Burns feels the cost of the apartments is reasonable because students often work long days with little turnaround between shifts. Both apartments cost the university an approximate $40,000 a year.

"It is justified because medical students are often times overworked, and we feel we have a safety concern with students," he said. "This was designed to ensure that students don't always have to drive back-and-forth to Toledo."

The recent use of Burns' P-card to purchase movie tickets and bowties has also drawn the attention of the UT-AAUP.

"I do not know why Mr. Burns needs to charge movie tickets to his P-card, let alone a movie ticket for a member of the Board of Trustees," Rouillard said. "We are still waiting to learn the names of the people who received tickets to sporting events."

Burns responded by stating he believed there was no inappropriate spending with his P-card.

Burns explained how some of his purchases have been beneficial to the university.

"The reason I get Golf Weekly Magazine is because it is the only weekly college golf magazine," he said. "In 2009, UT hosted the NCAA Men's Golf Championship and we are looking to again host in 2014. I want to stay updated."

Burns purchased several bow ties for the "Tie One On" charity event to benefit the Toledo Cancer Center. Due to underestimated attendance there were not enough bow ties for the event; Burns purchased several more form JoS. A. Bank to cover the shortage, spending an additional $539.

The charity event raised approximately $4,000 for cancer victims.

Another criticism Burns has faced recently is the purchase of movie tickets to his P-card, which went to Joe Zerby, president of the Toledo Blade and BOT member.

"During the WNIT Tournament, The Blade was very helpful," Burns said. "They ran thousands of dollars worth of free advertising in their paper for UT. The Blade is a great partner for the university."

Wanting to show the transparency of the university Jacobs called for all future purchases on P-cards to be thoroughly audited, according to the "Presidential Perspectives" video.

President Jacobs and the UT-AAUP could not be reached for comment.