Audit Reveals RF Mismanagement of Grants
But what do they do with all their money?
They waste a lot of it.
FACT: According to a recent NYS Audit, the Research Foundation spent $137,500 in “discretionary” housing payments to two campus presidents who already receive free housing from SUNY. 1
FACT: The Research Foundation awarded 11 contracts totaling $2.4 million without following competitive procurement procedures. 2
FACT: The NYS audit criticized the Research Foundation for spending at least $600,000 on a lobbying firm. 3 Much of the payments were made without even an explanation.
FACT: The RF made “questionable” payroll, paying two employees “beyond the limits allowed by State law.”4
FACT: The RF spent funds for tickets to the opera, ballet, circus, and puppet shows. 5
FACT: The RF spent upwards of $650,000 on at least one consulting firm at Stony Brook that “was not properly procured.”6
FACT: In order to try and bust the union, the RF hired a notorious union busting law firm, Bond, Schoneck and King. Union busters like these typically charge up to $800 per hour. The RF engaged two attorneys. We estimate they spent tens of thousands of RF funds on busting the union.
FACT: In the 1980s and 1990s, the RF spent years claming they did not have the funds to pay us health benefits. A few weeks after the TAs and GAs negotiated employer-provided benefits in 1993, the RF “found” the money to offer health benefits to RAs.
FACT: According to the 2007 Research Foundation’s Annual report last year, they made $43.5 million from their patents and investments.7
All of these facts are supported by an
audit conducted by NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. This independent report was highly critical of the Research Foundation’s spending decisions.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Research Foundation has consistently spent millions on questionable no-bid contracts, on union busting, on housing allowances for SUNY Presidents, and on excessive salary for their executives. With a union we have the power to shine a light on their budget and make them accountable.
The RF can afford to negotiate with us!
1 Hevesi, Alan G. A Report by the New York State Office of the State Comptroller. Research Foundation of the State University of New York: Administrative and Discretionary Costs. 2004-S-13. p22. Accessed electronically Nov. 16, 2008. URL: http://osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/093005/04s13.pdf
3-4 Hevesi, A.G. p4
5 Hevesi, A.G. p22
6 Hevesi, A.G. p20
7 Research Foundation’s 2007 Annual Report.
