A Lamar University faculty member is calling for an audit.
A Lamar University faculty member is calling for an audit.
Photo: Enterprise File Photo
TSUS Regents back Evans, give 'full confidence'
In response to concerns and criticisms raised by some Lamar University faculty, the Texas State University System Board of Regents have decided to express support for the university's president.
On Friday, the Board of Regents unanimously approved a resolution of support for President Ken Evans, expressing its "full confidence that President Ken Evans possesses the ability, intellect and experience necessary to lead Lamar University into the future."
Assistant Professor Kelly Weeks, who teaches as a part of the university's College of Business, helped lead the charge to demand a forensic audit and vote of no-confidence in the university's president and provost.
In response, the university's Faculty Senate has established an ad-hoc committee to investigate his concerns about the university's management of funds and transparency.
Board of Regents Chairman Bill Scott, a Lamar University distinguished alumnus, said the faculty members' criticism is unfounded and most of their concerns spring from financial decisions that had to be made in the wake of Tropical Storm Harvey.
"I wholeheartedly support this resolution," Scott said in a statement. "In this age of fake news, we must remember that what we see on the Internet is not necessarily true."
In a prepared statement published by Lamar University last week, the university said the budget concerns raised by the faculty member largely come from the allocation of resources to support operations after Tropical Storm Harvey and "other factors that impacted revenue."
The statement says the university saw a $5 million deficit after Harvey, declining international student enrollment and a $3.2 million decrease in funding given to the university by the state.
"Once Harvey hit, Lamar University immediately redirected money and effort to help students cope with the impact of the disaster," the statement said. "Further resources were made available to help faculty and staff. The total expenditure amounted to just under $3 million. Understandably, this reallocated both funding and expectations university wide."
A statement from the Board of Regents said TSUS administrators and third-party auditors had previously reviewed these decisions and "found they were prudent and necessary in light of the hurricane's impact on university operations."