'Fund A' Draft Audit Update

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, issued the following statement correcting misinformation regarding a recent internal audit and Dean of Students, Cathy Pettid:

Recently, the University of Nebraska Internal Audit and Advisory Services team conducted an audit of the utilization of Fund A monies at UNO. Fund A is the portion of student fees designated for student activities and is distributed according to an approved student government budget and in accordance with University policy. Although the audit remains in draft phase, there has been a multitude of misinformation circulating regarding this audit and UNO’s Dean of Students, Cathy Pettid. As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to speak to our Maverick community to clarify and correct any misinformation and misunderstanding.

Upon receipt of two anonymous concerns from students during Student Activities Budget Commission (SABC), the University evaluated recent expenditures of Fund A monies by Student Government Agencies. UNO Student Government Agencies are student organizations, created by and under the direct control of UNO Student Government, whose mission is to promote, educate, and serve the UNO student body and campus. The evaluation resulted in the identification of potential noncompliance, and UNO’s Division of Student Life and Wellbeing requested an independent internal audit to be conducted by the University of Nebraska System’s Internal Audit and Advisory Services. The audit resulted in numerous findings which represent an opportunity for process improvement. The Division of Student Life and Wellbeing is actively working with our student leaders to respond to the audit and identify compliant solutions to be utilized in the immediate future.

I want to emphasize that this is a matter of financial stewardship. We all have an obligation to ensure that the University’s resources are utilized appropriately, for their intended purpose, and in compliance with applicable policy, law, and regulations. An audit is not a punitive exercise, but rather an essential function of the University to provide assurances of compliant practices or, at times, an opportunity to improve processes. I welcome any opportunity which ensures that UNO remains a campus that operates in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.

Secondly, I want to express my unwavering support for UNO’s Dean of Students, Cathy Pettid, and the entire Division of Student Life and Wellbeing. Being a Dean of Students is a 24/7 commitment to serving our students and campus. At times, it requires making difficult decisions. By requesting a critical review of our internal processes, Dean Pettid knew a potential outcome was a determination that we are not perfect. However, she persisted because we all have an obligation – and a requirement – to ensure that the money we receive from our students is spent appropriately. Throughout her 26-year career at the University, Dean Pettid has selflessly served our campus and she leads her division with the interest of all Maverick students at the forefront.

As a public university, we have the great honor of serving a diverse student body and the student agencies have served an important role in supporting our students. I believe that they have the opportunity to continue to do so in the years ahead. However, we can only provide this support, and achieve UNO’s collective goals, by remaining true to our commitment of transparency, accountability, and integrity.

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the draft audit are available here: UNO ‘Fund A’ Draft Audit Overview and Frequently Asked Questions

UNO Campus Policy: Principles of Financial Stewardship