Investigation of alleged excessive travel & event expenses by the Board of Trustees, University of South Carolina and review of management controls of related foundations

Abstract

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education requested the South Carolina Office of the Inspector General, via a letter dated 9/2/2016, to audit alleged excessive spending by the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees (USC-BoT). This review’s scope and objectives were: Identify and analyze USC-BoT travel and event (T&E) expenses for a five-year audit period from FY2011-12 through FY2015-16 with emphasis on the FY2015-16; Determine the university’s compliance with all relevant state laws, regulations, and policies applicable to USC-BoT T&E expenses; Analytically review the university’s management controls on the general use of affiliated non-profit funds; and Identify opportunities to improve USC-BoT’s T&E policies. There was no evidence of intentional abuse or wrongdoing by the USC-BoT or the University. The USC-BoT T&E expense policies and expenses did not violate state law.